ArmInfo. Gazprom Armenia JSC's request regarding the new gas tariff has been submitted to the Public Services Regulatory Commission. As ArmInfo correspondent was informed at the Commission, the request will be put under review in the shortest deadlines.
According to Garegin Baghramyan, Head of PSRC Tariff Policy Department, the request will be reviewed within a couple of days. According to appropriate procedures, discussions will be held with subscribers and consumers' rights protection public entities. Baghramyan did not state any exact terms of the decision regarding the request mentioned, but noted that all the works will be implemented in shortest terms. And, pursuant to the requirements of regulations, the decision on the new tariff will become valid on January 1, 2017, because the latest decision on tariff revision came in power on July 1 of this year .
To remind, the company's website reported yesterday that at the moment the tariff for the subscribers consuming less than 10 thsd cu m per month is 146.7 thsd AMD per 1 thsd cu m of gas. Those consuming more than 10 thsd cu m per month pay 257.56 conventional units (the ultimate tariff is calculated by multiplying the conventional units by the average monthly AMD/USD exchange rate) per 1 thsd cu m. The company's request implies diversification of subscribers and tariffs:
1. the subscribers having the right to social allowances and consuming less than 600 cu m of gas per annum will pay 100 thsd AMD per 1 thsd cu m;
2. greenhouse facilities will pay 212 conventional units per 1 thsd cu m from November 1 till March 31;
3. processing enterprises will pay 212 conventional units per 1 thsd cu m;
4. subscribers consuming less than 10 thsd cu m per month will pay 139 thsd AMD per 1 thsd cu m;
5. subscribers consuming more than 10 thsd cu m of gas per month will pay 242.1 conventional units per 1 thsd cu m. For every consequent thousand of cu.m. they will be charged USD 212. Along with that, there are no bonuses set out for vehicles gas stations, budget funded entities and TPPs, producing power for domestic consumption.
To recall, once appointed Prime Minister, Karen Karapetyan stressed the need to revise the gas and electricity tariffs. He also pointed out the need to reduce the impact of the tariffs on the vulnerable social groups, as well as to ensure a galvanizing effect of the tariffs on business development, specifically in agriculture and processing industry.
Gazprom Armenia CJSC is a 100% subsidiary of the Russian Gazprom and the supplier of natural gas to the domestic market of Armenia. (The AMD/USD exchange rate is 475.14 AMD/1USD).