Energocom Seeks to Raise Gas Tariff to 26.25 Lei per Cubic Meter

Energocom has submitted an application to ANRE to increase the regulated natural gas tariff. For household consumers, the company is proposing a price of 24.305 lei excluding VAT, or around 26.25 lei per cubic meter including the tax. The final decision will be made by the regulator, rupor.md reports. Consumers currently pay 20.30 lei per cubic meter. Energocom is therefore proposing an increase of 5.95 lei, or approximately 29%. The current tariff only took effect on September 1. The company attributed the new application to the rising purchase cost of gas. Since its previous request, submitted on July 15, prices on the European market have increased by 42.15%. The current tariff was calculated using an average purchase price of around €56.25 per MWh. TTF prices subsequently exceeded €75 per MWh, while Energocom expects them to average around €76.6 in October. Comparable prices are also forecast for November and December. The company says it is currently purchasing gas at prices above the level factored into the existing tariff. The reasons cited for the increase include tensions in the Middle East, reduced liquefied natural gas supplies, low European storage levels and competition from Asian markets.