IDIS recommends fixing differentiated electricity charges

A study by the Institute for Development and Social Initiative (IDIS) “Viitorul” suggests setting differentiated electric power charges, Info-Prim Neo reports. Experts of the Institute say the authorities should clearly define the policy in this area and work out a system of differentiated charges. The electricity charge should be set depending on the voltage and consumption period, while the natural gas charge – according to the pressure in the pipe and the consumed volume. Study author, engineer Nicolae Mogoreanu said subsidization is needed when there is a common tariff. Co-author, engineer Sergiu Aparatu considers that the common charge stimulates excessive consumption of electric power among a group of household users and companies. “By this tariff, there are subsidized the household consumers who use between 1,000 and 3,000 kWh and even more a month. This shows that the people are able to pay for the consumed power,” said Sergiu Aparatu. The study also recommends measuring the natural gas in gigajoules, not cubic meters, as in the EU. Thus, there will no suspicions as regards the quality of the gas or deviations from the regulated pressure.