MAEC-Kazatomprom in Mangistau increased tariffs for energy supply

/Kazakhstan today, October 13, 03/ - Department of Kazakhstan agency for natural monopolies regulation and competition protection has confirmed application of MAEC-Kazatomprom LLP for increasing of tariffs in the sphere of energy supply since October 1 of 2003. General director of MAEC-Kazatomprom LLP Baurzhan Ibraev informed about it at the press-conference, a correspondent of KZ-today informs from Aktau. Cost of electrical power for population of Aktau has been increased by 9.1%, heat - by 13.2 %, drinking water - 7.9%, hot water - by 7%. Only tariff for technical water remained the same. "This is the first increase of tariffs for electricity for population for the period since 1999 ", - Ibraev noted. Main reason of tariffs increasing in energy supply sphere was increasing of prices for gas by Tengizshevroil LLP (TSHO) and decreasing of volumes of gas supply for the energy combine by Ozenmunaigas OJSC. Major supplier of gas for MAEC is no more interested in increasing of gas supplying to the combine at reduced prices. In accordance with it since October 1 of 2003 TSHO increases the selling price for gas by $6 and in the future every half-year it will increase it by $2, until the price reaches the world levels - $32 per th. cubic meters. The second reason of tariffs increasing is the necessity to repair equipment at the combine in full volume, renewal and modernization of fixed assets. At present depreciation of fixed assets of the energy combine is 67%. Volume of investments for renewal and modernization equals to about KZT3.5 bn. Besides, increase of salary for the combine's employees has been called one of reasons of tariffs increase, because at present it much lower than in other productions. Average salary at MAEC is KZT33.98 th., whereas in industry - almost KZT56 th., at oil refining enterprises - more than KZT66 th. [2003-10-13]