Moldovagaz says audit of debt to Gazprom would not have legal impact
The Republic of Moldova will be supplied with natural gas this winter, and the tariff for end consumers could be lower. However, the situation will depend on several factors, including the price of gas and the results of an audit of Moldovagaz's historical debt to Gazprom.
Moldovagaz director Vadim Ceban said that the needs of consumers this year will be covered mainly by Energocom, the state-owned energy company, and Gazprom. Ceban said that Moldovagaz aims to purchase about 366 million cubic metres of natural gas from Energocom under the previously signed contract, with the volume increasing up to 439 million cubic metres, depending on needs.
As for the price for end consumers, Ceban said there is only one condition that would lead to a reduction in the current gas tariff: the price of gas, regardless of where it is purchased, must not exceed $550 per thousand cubic metres.
"I'm betting on it not going up, but in order for it to be reduced the conditions I mentioned are to be met, the purchase price for the fourth quarter and for the whole year is to be much lower than $750, at least at the $550 level. $550 is the price, the starting point for adjustment, the costs are already being reduced," Ceban said.
The head of Moldovagaz says that, for the time being, there is no reason for Moldova not to recognise the debt claimed by Gazprom, which amounts to $709 million. According to Ceban, the audit would not have a legal impact, being, in his opinion, rather an advisory report, aimed at providing recommendations to the government.
Currently, consumers in Moldova pay 18.6 lei per cubic metre of natural gas consumed, including VAT. The tariff was set by the National Agency for Energy Regulation in June this year at Moldovagaz's request.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
