Tariffs for public sector to be reduced by 25%

Oleksandr Vilkul, Vice Prime Minister instructed the National Utility Regulatory Committee (NURC) to complete revision of tariffs for thermal energy for the public sector, kindergartens, schools, hospitals, etc, within a month, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

According to Oleksandr Vilkul, these innovations have become possible due to reduction of the Russian gas price for Ukraine.

It is worth mentioning that according to change contract with Russia signed by the parties, the price of natural gas for Ukraine from January 1, 2014 is 268.5 USD per 1,000 cubic meters, whereas previously the price was 408 USD per 1,000 cubic meters.

"Currently the rates have already been revised for 70% of utility providers, and these are 160,264 enterprises licensees of NURC," Deputy Prime Minister said.

According to the department calculations, the average tariff reduction for public sector organizations totaled 22-25%, from 728 UAH per Gcal to 599 UAH per Gcal, and for business -12% , from 766 UAH per Gcal to 683 UAH per Gcal.

According to experts, such reduction of the cost of thermal energy for the public sector objects will allow saving of about 2 billion UAH of budget funds during 2014. "This is an additional resource that can be used for regional development, construction of kindergartens, hospitals and other social infrastructure, for upgrading and improvement of the quality of life of the Ukrainian people," Oleksandr Vilkul said.