The gas rates will be decreased this autumn and will vary between 10 and 20 lei, said Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov. According to him, the gas rates in summer will remain high as the tariff deviations accumulated earlier need to be covered. Moldova hasn’t yet acquired amounts of gas for the coming winter as the prices on the international market are expected to decline further, IPN reports.

The minister said the current gas rate is mostly influenced by the tariff deviations amassed earlier. When the rate was 4 lei per cubic meter of gas, debs were accumulated and these are paid only now.

“The NAER’s estimates show there will be preconditions for decreasing the rate closer to autumn or even earlier. It will depend not only on the covering of tariff deviations, but also on the price at which we will be able to purchase gas for autumn-winter stores. I’m absolutely sure that the gas prices for next winter will be much lower than the previous winter. I’m sure that we passed the most difficult period. This summer we must cover the tariff deviations as the high gas rate is also due to the debts that weren’t paid by consumers. When the rate was 4 lei, no one expressed dissatisfaction with such a rate at a time when the gas on the international market cost US$1,000. Everyone was happy then. The bills are paid now. The people pay for the tariff deviations accumulated during the previous period and the process will yet last,” Victor Parlicov stated in the program “Résumé” on RliveTV channel.  

The minister noted that after all the tariff deviations are covered and Enegocom buys gas for the winter season, the gas rate could be reduced.

“The forecasts will be more accurate when we know at what price the gas will be purchased. The rate can oscillate between 10 and 20 lei,” said Victor Parlicov.

At present, household users pay a gas rate of 29.27 lei per cubic meter of gas.