The electricity tariffs must be raised gradually, not at once and not in the amount requested by the providers, acting deputy minister of economy Valeriu Triboi said in a discussion with journalists on July 7. He stated that the authorities are trying to directly hold negotiations with the electric power producer – the Cuchurgan Power Plant – but until Moldova has only one supplier, it is vulnerable and foreign partners are being looked for to ensure interconnection with the EU’s electricity system, IPN reports.

As to the demands to increase tariffs, the director of the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) Sergiu Ciobanu said that a thorough analysis is needed to set correct and transparent tariffs. Buts such an analysis can last for half a year or even a year. However, given the difficult situation in the country, the decision will be taken faster. “The ANRE is now examining the arguments presented by the providers. We cannot say how much the tariffs will rise, even if the providers demand an increase of 60%. We will finish the process and will then pronounce on the issue,” stated Sergiu Ciobanu.

Gas Natural Fenosa earlier announced that it was warned by the Cuchurgan Power Plant that the electric power supply could be reduced by 40% from July 1 if the overdue payments are not settled. The company said it purchases electricity in US dollars, at an exchange rate of 11.8 lei/dollar, which was included in the current tariff, at a time when the real exchange rate is now 18.68 lei/dollar. Gas Natural Fenosa asked the supplier to postpone taking the announced measure until July 15 as it is confident that by then the ANRE will honor its commitments and will approve the new tariffs, in accordance with the made requests.