ArmInfo.As a result of tariff reduction gas for 20% for socially disadvantaged families in Armenia "Gazprom-Armenia" annually loses about 1 billion drams. This was announced on November 8 at the meeting of the commission of inquiry to study the feasibility of tariffs for gas and electricity, said Chairman of the Board - Director General of ''Gazprom-Armenia'' CJSC Hrant Tadevosyan.
He noted that as a result of decline since August of this year. gas tariffs for socially disadvantaged families this category of consumers pays 80 drams per 1 cubic meter against the previously applied tariff rate of 100 drams. The general director also said that the average tariff for gas for consumers in Armenia is $ 255 per 1 thousand cubic meters. As for the other figures voiced earlier in the commission, then, as noted by Tadevosyan, they have no relation to reality. The general director of ''Gazprom-Armenia'' also stressed that only the maintenance of the company and its farms are allocated $ 62.5 per 1,000 cubic meters, and this is without taking into account the value added tax. "Thus, reducing the inevitable gas losses, as well as our own needs, we get the current tariff margin of natural gas in the amount of $ 50.8 per 1 thousand cubic meters," Tadevosyan stressed.
He also said that the company's expenses are included in the tariff, they are calculated on the basis of the decision of the Commission for the Regulation of Public services, as well as those standards that are agreed with the relevant ministries.
To note, after the meeting of the commission in an interview with journalists, Tadevosyan said that the current gas tariff will continue until January 1, 2019, after which a new agreement will be concluded with ''Gazprom''. Discussions with the Russian company continue. As for the possibility of raising gas tariffs, then, as the general director noted, the answer to this question will be given by the end of the year, when negotiations with Gazprom will be completed.
To recall on October 10, the Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia Garegin Baghramyan, answering the question of ArmInfo, noted that it is too early to talk about the possibility of reducing gas tariffs for Armenian consumers. According to him, a working group has been formed, which is studying this issue. Only after the balance calculations are made, the forecasts on consumption volumes, exchange rates, and when discussing the issue with ''Gazprom Armenia'' and ''Armenia's Electric Grid'' will it be possible to talk about the possibility of lowering energy prices.
To note on October 10 the government of Armenia approved the agreement with the government of the Russian Federation on the pricing of gas. As Garegin Baghramyan noted, until December 31 of the current year the price of gas will remain unchanged and will be $ 150 per 1 thousand cubic meters.
To recall now Armenia receives gas from Russia at $ 150 per thousand cubic meters at the border. Domestically, the consumer is already paying $ 290 dollars per thousand cubic meters of gas, large subscribers who consume more than 10,000 cubic meters pay $ 242, and greenhouses and processing plants pay $ 212. Meanwhile, following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 8, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced an agreement of the parties to study together the pricing of Russian gas in Armenia. According to him, he gets to the republic at a very low price, but there is a high markup in Armenia. Later, during a meeting with the Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of the Republic of Armenia Garegin Baghramyan, the head of the Armenian government announced his intention to discuss the price of Russian natural gas with Vladimir Putin. Nikol Pashinyan noted that he intends to meet with the Russian president in November and in December and discuss with him, among other issues, the price of gas. "I'm getting ready to meet with Putin in November and presumably in December. Prepare documents for me on gas prices so that I can discuss them," the republic's prime minister said. In turn, Baghramyan expressed the opinion that the tariffs for Russian gas can be reduced to $ 140 from $ 150 per thousand cubic meters. "The document must be justified," Pashinyan replied.
Earlier, the now former Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of Armenia Artur Grigoryan stated that the negotiations on prices for Russian gas between the two countries will be held in November. He noted that Yerevan will not stop looking for ways to purchase cheap gas for Armenian consumers.