Electricity rates to be reviewed next week

The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) will review electricity rates next week, after RED Union Fenosa asked for a 9% rise in the tariff of a kilowatt-hour from 1.33 lei to 1.45 lei; RED Nord and RED Nord Vest asked for increases to 1.52 lei and 1.60 lei, respectively, Info-Prim Neo reports. “We will examine these petitions, including in light of the steps taken to liberalize the electricity market and apply tension-dependent differential tariffs. Hopefully next week we will be able to adopt a decision in this respect”, said ANRE director Victor Parlicov. From April 1, the price of a kilowatt-hour bought by RED Union Fenosa from the Kuchurgan Power Station (which is owned by the Russian company Inter RAO) rose by nearly 11%, from ¢5.5 to ¢6.1. The two publicly owned distribution companies located in northern Moldova – RED Nord and RED Nord Vest – will buy Ukrainian electricity at the same price.