"The price of gas reflects the true costs" - March 26, 2010
LE FIGARO. – How to justify to consumers increased by 9.7% in the price of gas?
Philippe de Ladoucette – There is a formula and is totally transparent. In this case, it is to pass an increase of 3.8% in supply costs and 5.9% for non-supply costs, that is to say, transport, storage and marketing costs. Hence the overall increase of 9.7%, which was considered by the Regulatory Commission of Energy (CRE) on the proposal of GDF Suez. The evolution rules can go into the truth costs.
Gas prices on the market have declined significantly in recent months. How then to explain the increase in regulated prices in France?
Because these regulated prices depend first and foremost long-term contracts that were signed between Suez and GDF several major producing countries (Russia, Norway, Algeria …).But gas prices on the market, by definition volatile, have not always been so attractive today. In 2008, for example, industrial supplies on the market have seen their bill jump 40% a year. Currently, the gas environment has changed not only the supply exceeds demand, but other generation sources such as shale gas in the United States, tend to develop. All this promotes falling gas prices.
Can you imagine that the formula indexed to the long-term contracts is called into question the benefit of consumers?
GDF Suez plans to negotiate with some suppliers, like Russia's Gazprom, a key to lowering the cost of supplies.But all producing countries are not necessarily inclined to reconsider the current system, which also has advantages because it allows to guarantee the security of supply, essential for a country like France. In general, we can not claim that the formula is modeled on market prices when they are more attractive than long-term contracts, and vice versa. There are choices to make …
In other words, it does not affect the formula for calculating regulated prices of gas?
Not necessarily. Before the end of this year, the CRE will proceed, in connection with the services of GDF SUEZ, an audit of the formula. To ensure precisely that there is no distortion too high between the environment and gas prices paid by French consumers. An adaptation of the formula is always possible, knowing that there are a number of steps to the key.The State to decide in last resort by decree.
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