From May 1, all consumers of blue fuel will be automatically transferred to the so-called summer gas tariff. The relevant resolution was adopted by the National Commission, which carries out state regulation in the spheres of energy and communal services, at the beginning of April.
On the one hand, Ukrainians will know how much they pay for gas for a whole hour, regardless of its price on world markets. On the other hand, gas suppliers, fearing the possible risks of rising prices for blue fuel, include in the annual tariff a higher price than consumers could receive, for example, in the summer.
And some companies have already done it. Since May, more than a third of gas suppliers have raised prices for the population by 10 hryvnias per cubic meter. You will have to pay such tariffs until April 30 of the next year, although Ukrainians will not feel the changes in the next six months - due to minimal gas consumption in the low period.
What prices within the framework of the annual tariff were offered by gas traders and how to choose the most favorable offer?
What suppliers offer
April is the last month of the so-called lunar activity offered to the population on gas. From May 1, 2021, gas supply companies will transfer all Ukrainians to the summer gas tariff. And the price of blue fuel will be fixed until April 30, 2022.
What will be the price of gas for the whole hour? On April 26, all gas supply companies disclosed annual tariffs. And all of them turned out to be somewhat higher than could be expected in a low period, when the consumption of blue fuel traditionally falls.
Let us remind you that in April, 14 companies sold gas to the population at a price of less than UAH 6,99 per cubic meter, 33 - suppliers - at exactly UAH 6,99 per cubic meter, and 17 - above this mark. The highest tariff — UAH 8,85 per cubic meter — was set by the Mariupol company "Azovgaz" this month.
Starting from May, cheap gas will be available in Lutsk. The annual tariff of "Evoda Trade", which is a subsidiary of the local "Lutskovodokanal" is UAH 7,88 per cubic meter. Five companies (Cherkassygaz Sbyt, Umangaz Sbyt, Naftogaz Ukrainy, Volynelectrozbut and Zakarpattia Energosbyt) ) will sell blue fuel at a price in the range of UAH 7,89-7,98 per cubic meter.
In 56 gas supply companies, the price of gas for the next hour immediately turned out to be higher than UAH 10 per cubic meter. In three suppliers (Chernivtsi, Zhytomyr and Kherson regional energy supply companies), the tariff is UAH 13,5 per cubic meter.
Why is the price of UAH 10 per cubic meter remarkable? The fact is that in January 2021, the price of gas reached this level, after which protests began in a number of Ukrainian regions. Their consequence was the introduction of manual management of gas tariffs for the population.
Decision During February-March, the government limited the price of blue fuel to UAH 6,99 per cubic meter. Again, starting from April, market prices became.
Can users refuse the annual tariff and pay according to the monthly tariff? Yes. Most gas supply companies offer users monthly and even ten-day (for 10 days) tariffs in addition to summer ones.
And they are significantly less than annual ones. Not a single operator has set the gas price for May higher than UAH 10 per cubic meter. The lowest tariff is still at Tvod Trade — UAH 7,88 per cubic meter.
It is noteworthy that the price of gas for clients of the "Supplier of last hope" (temporarily provides gas to clients who for certain reasons have lost their supplier. Now this function is performed by GC "Naftogaz of Ukraine", EP ) next month will be UAH 9,57 per cubic meter.
The prices of the "Supplier of last hope" are higher than in most companies, since it essentially insures problem customers who have lost their supplier. Therefore, all his clients should choose a market supplier and conclude a contract with him in order to get more favorable prices.
What else do gas consumers need to pay for?
In addition to the cost of the gas itself, separately, consumers still have to pay the bill for its delivery. The transportation fee is collected by the operators of GRM or the so-called oblgazy.
A separate tariff should apply to each of them.
At the end of January, the National Commission for State Regulation in the Energy and Utilities Sectors established a marginal tariff for regional gas, which amounts to UAH 1,79 per cubic meter without VAT (20%). There are also operators who charge a lower price for their services. There are 15 such companies in Ukraine.
With a complete list of timing operators and the cost of their services (to a limit, EP ) can be viewed here to register: .
The weather puts pressure on European prices
What does the cost of gas for Ukrainian consumers depend on? First of all, from world prices. The so-called market pricing mechanism was introduced on August 1, 2020.
And world prices will continue to affect the cost of blue fuel for Ukrainians. At least for those who refuse the annual tariff. Every month by the 25th, gas supply companies publish gas prices for the following month.
What about world markets? Despite the end of the heating season, gas prices on the European market continued to rise in April.
According to the Ukrainian Energy Exchange, prices at European hubs last week "had a general upward trend" and crossed the 20 euro/MWh mark on all trading platforms (equivalent to $258, or UAH 7190 per thousand cubic meters, EP ).
Thus, during the week, low quotations were observed at the Dutch TTF hub, which as of April 23 amounted to 21,69 euros / MWh or 279 dollars (7784 UAH) per thousand cubic meters. At other hubs, the spot price was higher - up to 24,41 314 euros / MWh or $8761 (XNUMX UAH) per thousand cubic meters.
But the world is still preparing for a drop in demand in a low period. Contracts with gas delivery in a month (at the end of May) were on average 1,2% cheaper, and with delivery in three months - by 2,7%.
"Weather still plays a key role in the demand for gas: the late-season decline in consumption holds down prices," UEB notes.
Annual gas product: questions-answers
Where should I go to switch to an annual rate?
There is no need to submit additional applications. The annual tariff plan will be used as a basic one and all users who previously used monthly offers will be automatically transferred to annual products.
Will the specified prices be valid for the whole hour?
No. According to the decision of the National Commission, which carries out state regulation in the fields of energy and communal services, summer gas prices can still be revised. But the price of gas can be changed only downwards.
If I receive a subsidy, does the annual rate apply to me?
Yes. Annual products are available to everyone, including recipients of benefits and subsidies.
Can I change the tariff or supplier?
Yes, at will, each client will be able to change the annual tariff plan to any other (decadal (for ten days), monthly or quarterly, EP ), they will also change the supplier to the one that offers the best price and service.
