The National Agency for Energy Regulation (NAER) ascertained with concern that the largest operator of stations selling compressed natural gas “TransAutoGaz” SRL on January 22 essentially increased the prices of methane . According to the Agency, the administration of Moldovagaz SA, which is the founder of “TransAutoGaz”, insipidly tried to argue the rise, enumerating a number of factors that cannot actually influence the structure of the price of compressed natural gas intended for vehicles at the current stage, IPN reports.
“This type of fuel is primarily consumed by taxi service providers or by public transport (buses). Consequently, this increase substantially affects both of the sides, namely the service providers and their passengers,” the Agency said in a press release.
NAER noted it is analyzing in detail the circumstances of the actions taken by “TransAutoGaz” SRL and reserves the right to request the Competition Council to investigate this case from the angle of the anti-competition legislation.
In Moldova, there are five operators of stations retailing compressed natural gas for vehicles: “Transautogaz” SRL (12 stations); “Lukoil-Moldova” SRL (4); “Saltica-Lux” (2); “Oltavim” (1 station) and “Rompetrol-Moldova” (o station).
The price of methane recently rose by 25% to 17.60 lei a liter.
