For now, there are no preconditions for reducing the gas charge, said the president of the Administration Board of Moldovagaz Vadim Ceban. According to the official, the current charge perfectly reflects the purchase price and if the trends are downwards, the charge could be decreased only in 2024. Vadim Ceban said Energocom now does not purchase gas as the prices of methane started again to rise owing to instability on the international market, IPN reports.
The CEO of Moldovagaz noted that the current purchase price and the volumes of gas purchased last year at high prices do now allow decreasing the charge. For the charge to be reduced, the average purchase price should be at most US$550 per 1,000 cubic meters.
“According to out calculations, the price that allows reducing the charge is US$550 per cubic meter. This purchase price would be the reference price. If the weighted average price for a year is lower than US$550, there will be preconditions for reviewing the charge. By the formula of the charge approved in June 2023, the purchase price is of approximately US$750. This means that US$750 is the weighted average price per year. When we have the average price of US$550, we will be able to speak about preconditions for a decline in the charge. Everything will depend on the purchase price. There are no such preconditions yet,” Vadim Ceban stated in the program “Reflection Points” on Vocea Basarabiei channel.
The CEO of Moldovagaz also said that an eventual reduction in the charge would be possible only in 2024, if the prices on the international market do not rise again.
“Starting with 2024, these preconditions can appear after we consume the more expensive gas and start to consume the gas at the price announced by Energocom in the last tender contests. During this period, I don’t think that Energocom will make major purchases as the prices are high and the market is very unstable at present. A lot depends on the weather. If it’s cold, consummation will be high and this element influences the price. The current gas charge reflects the situation on the market. The market is market, while we are 100% dependent,” noted Vadim Ceban.
Currently, household users pay a charge of 18.6 lei including VAT for a cubic meter of gas.
