Charged by the president of Armenia, the government of the republic will try to keep tariffs for electric power and gas without changing in 2015, Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Ervand Zakharyan, said at today's press-conference.
He also added that the current financial situation in the energy system is extremely tense. It worsened much as a result of inflation and Armenian dram devaluation at the end of the last year and resulted in extra losses. He said that devaluation of the Armenian dram by 10 drams leads to extra losses in the energy sector by 410 million AMD.
"In this context, the companies dealing with electric power and gas supply may apply to Public Services Regulatory Commission for revisiting the tariffs. But I think they will not do that this year", - Zakharyan said.
To recall, Gazprom Armenia, the company regulating gas operations in the country, may apply to raise gas tariffs in Armenia given the dram's sharp fluctuation. Currently, Gazprom Armenia pays $189 for 1,000 cubic meters of gas. The exchange rate 416 AMD/$1 was fixed in the current tariff, while at present the average exchage rate in commercial banks of Armenia is 477 AMD/$1
The tariff for electricity in Armenia rose twice in the past two years, as the price ran up by 27 percent in July 2013, followed by a 10 percent increase a year later. At present, households in Armenia pay 41.85 drams ($0.09) per kilowatt of electricity.