Wednesday, February 13 2019 17:22

ArmInfo. CJSC "Gazprom Armenia" continues negotiations on the size of the tariff margin, reportedthe press secretary of the company Mikhail Harutyunyan told  ArmInfo.

According to him, it is possible that following the results of the  negotiations acceptable solutions will be found for the parties. At  the same time, the spokesman did not comment on the information of a  number of media from about the reduction of 1,500  people.Earlier, Gazprom Armenia CJSC reported that it expects that as  a result of negotiations on the magnitude of the tariff margin, such  solutions will be found that will ensure the normal operation of the  company and the implementation ofreliable and safe gas supply to  consumers. This was stated in the message of Gazprom Armenia in  response to a request from ArmInfo about the possibility of reducing  the tariff margin, and, as a result, a possible reduction in the  volume of the company's investment program due to the rising cost of  Russian gas.

"Due to the change in the price of natural gas supplied to Armenia,  discussions are held between the authorized body of the Armenian  government in the energy sector, the regulating body and CJSC Gazprom  Armenia with the participation of interested public organizations and  relevant specialists with a view to making agreed decisions on the  size of the tariff margin. The company's tariff margin should include  the indicators necessary for its calculation, which are included in  the structure of tariffs for natural gas sold to consumers by the  company, " It was in the message of the company.According to ArmInfo  analysts, the new agreements between Gazprom and the Armenian  authorities may lead to a reduction in the margin of Gazprom Armenia,  but will not be critical. However, the partial cancellation of the  discount that Gazprom provided to Gazprom Armenia in order to secure  investment in development may be the reason for the reduction of the  investment program of the Armenian subsidiary of Gazprom.In  accordance with the draft investment program for 2019-2021, the total  investment is 29,598.4 million drams (excluding VAT). 

The investment program of CJSC Gazprom Armenia provides for the  expansion of the Abovian underground gas storage station, the  construction of new gas transmission and gas distribution systems,  the acquisition and introduction of modern equipment and  technologies, the connection of new subscribers, the installation of  security systems, etc. As the General Director of the company Grant  Tadevosyan noted earlier, by 2030 $ 480 million will be invested in  the modernization of the Armenian gas transmission system.Recall that  Gazprom's head Alexei Miller and Acting Deputy Prime Minister of  Armenia Mher Grigoryan signed the supplementary agreement to the gas  supply contract of Gazprom Armenia on December 31 (the gas  distribution organization of the country, 100% from Gazprom). The  price of gas for Armenia on the border with Georgia since the  beginning of 2019 has increased by 10% - to $ 165 per thousand cubic  meters.

 The agreement of 2016 lowered the price from the same $ 165 to $ 150  per thousand cubic meters.  Gazprom is the only supplier of gas to  Armenian consumers. The republic also receives gas from Iran, but  uses it in the form of a barter deal in exchange for electricity  produced in the country. The contract with Gazprom Armenia was  concluded in 2013 for the supply of up to 2.5 billion cubic meters  per year in 2014- 2018. In the first nine months of 2018, Gazprom  exported 1.37 billion cubic meters.