Photo from UNIAN
Next year, the price of gas for Ukrainian households may be reduced, Naftogaz chief Andriy Kobolev said at the annual Conductors of Change Forum in Kyiv today, October 29.
"Good news is that we are seeing a decline in gas prices globally. Gas becomes an ever cheaper commodity, as the highest tariff [for gas] is pegged to the market price … We expect that, if the downward trend prevails, the maximum tariff of UAH 7,188 [per 1,000 cubic meter of gas] will be revised down," Kobolev said.
Naftogaz chief also said that an increase in gas prices for households may continue next year, according to a plan of gradual increase in gas tariffs for households agreed with the IMF, but the rise in the tariffs will be subject to the hryvnia exchange rate stabilization and lower hydrocarbons energy prices in world markets.
Read alsoUtility tariffs for gas and heat in Ukraine to be increased quarterlyHe added that the IMF would not oppose the reduction in maximum gas tariff for households provided the decision is determined by actual market situation.
As UNIAN reported earlier, in fulfillment of the Memorandum with the International Monetary Fund, Ukraine's key creditor, the National Commission for State Energy and Public Utilities Regulation increased from April 1, 2015, the minimum price of gas for the population by 3.3 times - up to UAH 3,600 per thousand cubic meters of gas with the consumption volume of up to 200 cubic meters. In off-season - from May 1 to September 30 - the price of natural gas will amount to UAH 7,188 per thousand cubic meters, regardless of the volume of consumption.
Read alsoGas for industry to be cheaper from November 1In addition, from April 1, tariffs for heat supply for the population were raised by 72% to UAH 537.2 per Gcal. The National Commission for State Energy and Public Utilities Regulation also increased electricity tariffs for households by an average of 19%.