These are the new rates that Ecogas will charge in Mendoza

By Miguel Ángel Flores April 3, 2024 – 20:32

Enargas (National Gas Regulatory Entity) authorized Distribuidora de Gas Cuyana (Ecogas) to collect new tariffs for the service in Mendoza from this month. And at the same time, a monthly adjustment formula since May.

According to the resolution signed by the regulator’s controller, Carlos Alberto Casares, these are “transitional” tariff tables that govern since April 1. It includes fees and charges for providing the service, which had been discussed in the last public hearing called to discuss the update of gas values, which exceeds 300%.

“For the temporary adjustment of the rates, the need to have an adequate level of income to provide the service in a safe and reliable manner, meet its obligations and, mainly, make the necessary investments has been taken into consideration,” says resolution 116. /2024 in its recitals.

Regarding how the rate update was decided, Enargas highlights that “The transition Rate Tables contemplate the transfer of prices at the Point of Entry to the Transportation System (PIST gas) provided by the Ministry of Energy”.

New natural gas rates and investments

Already in January, Ecogas had presented its cost study in order to base a strong adjustment of rates in Mendoza for 2024. As then, the new tables will affect more than 400 thousand clients that the firm has throughout the province.

Now, along with the approval of the new tables, Enargas included an obligation: that Ecogas present a works and/or investment plan for $5,980,000,000.

According to what was resolved by the entity, this plan “will be object of the adjustments inherent to the monthly adjustment planned and that must be disbursed and/or accrued during 2024, aimed at investments in gas infrastructureprioritizing network security, reliability and quality of service.”

Meanwhile, Mendoza users will have to tune the pencil. The thing is that from now on, and until further notice, the invoices that must be paid include a fixed charge monthly between $3960,62 (for the initial category, R-1) up to just over $24,600 for the maximum consumption category (R3-4).

Furthermore, the cost per m3 consumed of gas, the cargo variablewas set to the same value for all categories: $126,56.

annex_7093886_1.pdf

These are the rates that, with the new adjustment, Ecogas will charge from this month in Mendoza

Monthly increase

That, likewise, the Agreement contemplates a formula for monthly updating of rates, applicable starting in May 2024.

As approved by Enargas, the adjustment formula will weight the evolution of 3 indices: Domestic Wholesale Prices (IPIM), General Level, the Salary Index sRegistered Private ector (IVS) and the Construction Cost IndexMaterials chapter (ICC).

annex_7093886_2.pdf

The new rate adjustment formula since May includes variations in salaries and costs