Maximum prices for LPG in Kazakhstan to increase from Feb 1 – Energy MinistryThe maximum price for wholesale sales of liquefied petroleum gas on the domestic market outside commodity exchanges will increase in Kazakhstan from February, the draft order prepared by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic and published on the Open Laws and Statutory Instruments (LSI) website says.According to the draft order, the wholesale price of autogas will increase from 45,158 tenge per tonne to 51,932 tenge per tonne excluding VAT. This price will be fixed for the period from February 1, 2025 till June 30, 2025.At the same time, the maximum retail price will increase from about 6 to 21 tenge, depending on the region. For example, according to the Ministry of Energy, the minimum retail price for autogas is currently 59 tenge/litre (in western regions) and the maximum is 94 tenge/litre (remote areas of Almaty and North Kazakhstan regions). From February 1, the minimum retail price will rise to 65 tenge/litre (Mangistau region) and the maximum to 107 tenge/litre (north, center and east of the country)."The need for adjustment is driven by the growing losses of LPG producers. For example, the current cost of LPG production is 65,000-75,000 tenge per tonne, while the maximum wholesale price for production facilities is set at 45,158 tenge per tonne. Thus, the production plants are running up a deficit of funds for upgrades and scheduled annual repairs," the Energy Ministry's press release says.The ministry also points to an increase in the consumption of liquefied petroleum gas - from 1.8 million tonnes in 2022 to 2.4 million tonnes in 2024, while its price in Kazakhstan remains one of the lowest in the CIS."This measure will fully ensure the supply to the domestic market and create conditions for attracting investments in gas processing," the Ministry of Energy said. The draft order will be available for public discussion on the Open LSI website until January 31, 2025.In addition, the Ministry of Energy has prepared amendments to the rules for setting maximum prices for commercial and liquid gas.Thus, according to the text of the document published on the Open LSI website, the maximum wholesale prices for commercial gas will be revised within one calendar year from 20% to 33% of the straight average for the Republic.It also provides for the possibility of increasing wholesale prices for liquid gas by 15% (the previous norm was 12%) and the possibility of changing them at least twice during a calendar year (previously - every 6 months). (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX