Igor Munteanu
At the same time, he is calling on the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) and Energocom to publicly explain, “down to the last leu,” how the new natural gas rate was calculated.
“It is immoral when a family that can barely afford to pay its bill is forced to accept a rate increase of more than 40%, while state-owned or regulated energy companies maintain salary structures and benefits that bear no relation to the economic reality of most citizens. You cannot demand that families save 500–1,000 lei a month on energy and at the same time treat salaries and bonuses at energy companies as if they were untouched by the crisis,” Munteanu stated.
He proposes making public the average salary levels, executive compensation, bonuses, and other payments at Energocom and Vestmoldtransgaz, as well as providing data on the companies’ administrative expenses.
“Energocom and energy system operators are not ordinary companies operating in a free market and fully assuming commercial risks. They operate in a strategic and regulated sector, and a significant portion of their expenses is ultimately covered by the prices and rates paid by consumers. Compensation for executives and top management should be commensurate with performance, the companies’ financial condition, and the country’s economic situation,” he noted.
Munteanu demands thatthe tariff calculationbe disclosed …
The former lawmaker also calls on NARE and Energocom to publicly disclose the structure of the new gas tariff, which, following the increase, will amount to approximately 20.30 lei per cubic meter. According to him, the rate increase of 6,870 lei per 1,000 cubic meters compared to the previous level must be justified for each expense item—down to the last leu.
“This is the very ‘hole’ that needs to be examined down to the last leu. Energocom cites the rise in the TTF price, but consumers don’t pay for the TTF—they pay for the gas itself, the commercial markup, transportation, capacity, logistics, potential storage, gas injection and withdrawal, other expenses, and supply and distribution. So the main question is: how much did 1 MWh of gas—actually delivered to the Moldovan PVT—cost on average, including all expenses? Without this figure, the discussion is meaningless,” asserts Munteanu.
…and to explain the rise in the purchase price
The former ambassador also questions the sharp increase in the projected purchase price of gas—up to 623.54 euros per 1,000 cubic meters for August–December, compared to the estimate of 404.24 euros per 1,000 cubic meters made at the beginning of the year. He urges government agencies to also disclose administrative expenses and executive compensation at energy companies.
“As government agencies, show us the calculations behind the tariff, because so far consumers have essentially been told only one thing: they have to pay—without any explanation of exactly what they are paying for,” said Igor Munteanu.
As a reminder, the new rate will take effect on September 1. The price of natural gas for consumers will be 20.30 lei per cubic meter.
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