Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu assures the public that the risks of a new energy crisis are very low. According to him, there is no risk of a new ultimatum from Gazprom in December for a possible halt of gas supplies, as Moldovagaz is already making the payments for November.
At the same time, Spînu says that the gas rate in December will most likely remain unchanged at 11.08 lei and only at the beginning of next year it could be reviewed if there is a downward trend in gas prices on the global markets.
“I am in permanent contact with Moldovagaz. Part of the payment for gas has already been made, there will be more subsidies from the government, so at this stage the risks are extremely low. The daily payments to Gazprom show a good trend. Moldovagaz is ready to pay for consumption in November and will soon start paying the advance for December as well. Moldovagaz is considering the situation of some citizens postponing these payments. However, our message to the citizens is to pay the bills in full, but if there are more complicated situations, to pay as much as they can and then come back and pay the debts”, Spînu told a talk show on RTR Moldova.
While the energy regulatory body ANRE earlier said that the gas rate of 11.08 lei per cubic meter is only for November, it seems that it will be kept unchanged for a while. According to the deputy prime minister, this is for the sake of stability.
“Gas and electricity tariffs must be stable. We cannot pay 8 lei today and 13 lei next month. This creates a situation of uncertainty among people, but also a planning problem for businesses. For this reason, Moldovagaz presented the calculations for 14 months, which means November-December 2021 and 12 months of 2022. ANRE has established a provisional tariff. If at the beginning of next year, they see that the trends on international markets downward, the tariff may slide under 11 lei”, said Spînu.
Currently one cubic meter of gas for domestic consumers costs 11.08 lei, VAT included. The Government subsidizes 67% of this rate for the first 50 cubic meters consumed and 50% for the next 100 cu.m.
