Moldovans to pay more for energy from August 1

As from August 1, the Moldovans will pay more for the natural gas, power and heating. The Energy Regulator (ANRE) approved the new tariffs on Wednesday, following the hike in imported natural gas and power, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to ANRE's general manager, Vitalie Iurcu, the consumers will pay by 22.8% more for the natural gas. The tariff for the population consuming less than 30 cubic meters (c.m.) monthly has grown from 2,666 lei/1,000 c.m. to 3,414 lei, while the households consuming more than 30 c.m. will pay 3,813 lei. For the consumers serviced by the power supplier RED Union Fenosa, connected to the 110 kV grid, the tariff will rise from 71 to 79 bani/kWh. The other consumers from the country's south and center will pay 1.10 lei/kWh, regardless of having electric ovens or not. In the conditions of essential growth of the natural gas prices, the subventions for the households using electric ovens need to be canceled to place them in equal conditions with other consumers, Vitalie Iurcu says. RED Nord and RED Nord-Vest will take 1.20 lei/kWh. Now the consumers with electric ovens pay 1,03 lei/kWh, and the other -- 1.08 lei /kWh. According to the ANRE's estimations, the monthly expenses of a three-member household living in a two-room apartment connected to centralized heating will go up with 14 lei for using natural gas, with 13 lei – for electricity and with 96 lei for the heating delivered by CET Nord. They can vary depending on subventions allocated by the state. The charges approved by ANRE will enter force when published in Monitorul Oficial al R. Moldova. ANRE says these tariffs are forecast to last till April 15, 2009. If the prices do not fluctuate essentially, they may last the entire 2009. ANRE operated the last hike in energy prices on January 18, 2008.