ANRE approves increase inelectricity distribution prices as of 1 March; final price for households doesn't change

The Regulatory Committee of the National Regulatory Authority for Energy (ANRE) decided on Monday to keep the current regulated electricity prices for final household clients, as of 1 March 2019, according to a release of the institution sent to AGREPRES.

"The regulated prices have been established following a data analysis and the pieces of information sent by the final suppliers, with the observance of the provisions of the Methodology establishing regulated prices and prices enforced by the final suppliers to final customers approved through ANRE Order No. 11/2019. The regulated electricity prices approved for the final household clients valid as of 1 March 2019 won't change compared to the ones that are currently in force," the ANRE representatives mentioned.

Furthermore, the distribution prices will increase on average by almost 2.5 percent as of 1 March.

"Taking into account the increase of the estimated value of 'the Costs resulting from the payment of taxes, royalties, fees and similar vouchers, established under the legislation in force or by the local authorities,' caused by the change in the percentage applied to the turnover on 2018 from 0.1 percent to 2 percent, we see necessary to make the corrections corresponding to the uncontrollable costs of distribution operators and correct the distribution prices that are valid as of 1 March 2019," the substantiation report of a draft order shows.

Also stipulated are the new prices for the electricity distribution service proposed by the current change leading to users in the area, where operators provide the distribution service, bearing increased costs for the distribution service, according to the price increases mentioned in the drafts.

"The change in prices will ensure the annual incomes of the concession distribution operators, necessary to carry out the activity, as a result of the change in the primary legislation," according to the substantiation report.

On 29 January, the ANRE issued a release in which it mentioned that "the price of electricity and natural gas for household consumers in regulated regime are not to increase by 2022, following the enforcement of the provisions of OUG No.114/2018."

The ANRE recently announced that it prolonged the deadline until the energy companies have to send the turnover based on which the 2 percent contribution stipulated in OUG No.114/2018 will be calculated, without mentioning the new deadline for providing these data.