Moldova will ask Gazprom to modify gas price calculation formula

“We will negotiate a new gas price calculation formula with Gazporm so that it is not so strictly connected with the evolution of oil prices on the foreign markets,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar said after the July 22 meeting of the Energy Security Commission, Info-Prim Neo reports. The official did not say how the given formula can be amended, but stressed that it should take into account the payment capacity of the end-users in Moldova. SA Moldovagaz head Alexandr Gusev said the negotiations with Gazprom go on. “The price announced for the fourth quarter of this year is US$401 per 1 000 cubic meters of gas. We aim to obtain a formula that will not necessitate a sudden rise in charges for end-users every quarter. Certainly, the rise will not be excluded, but it should be gradual,” stated Alexandr Gusev. Asked to anticipate how much the tariffs will increase in the fourth quarter of the year, he said the rise would be about 10%. Victor Parlicov, director general of the National Agency for Energy Regulation, said SA Moldovagaz has not yet asked for a rise in charges and has not submitted the relevant calculations. But he confirmed that the current tariffs do no more cover the costs for the import of gas. The working group consisting of representatives of SA Moldovagaz, the Government and Gazprom so far has held two rounds of talks on the new contract for the supply of Russian gas to Moldova. The third round that will take place in Chisinau will involve Aexandr Medvedev, deputy head of the Administration Board of Gazprom.