MoldovaGaz inspected by ANRE

The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) is conducting an inspection at the national gas utility MoldovaGaz in an attempt to identify potential cases of unjust enrichment, Info-Prim Neo reports. “If we find out that there have been introduced some costs in the current rates which shouldn't have been introduced, that is, if we find out that MoldovaGaz has earned some incomes that it shouldn't have earned, these will be subtracted from the rates that will be applied in the future”, said ANRE director Mariana Botezatu. “The corporation is composed of 12 gas distribution companies and one dealing in gas transportation. Considering the large amount of work, we expect this inspection to last until the end of the year”, said the ANRE director. Mariana Botezatu went on to add that the agency couldn't wait for the outcome of the inspection to adjust the gas rates, as demanded by the labor unions and some political parties. “That was impossible, because delays could have resulted in negative financial deviations that would have required subsequent coverage. We already delayed the adoption of the new rates by one and a half month ”, said Mariana Botezatu. Last Friday, ANRE raised the gas rates by about 14 percent on average. Concerning the inspection at the heating utility Termocom, its findings are to be released at a public event later this week. According to Mariana Botezatu, the inspection helped the agency limit the increment in the heating rate from 699 lei to 821 lei per Gcal, which is by 29 lei cheaper than what the utility requested.