Vilniaus Energija published a statement in which it assures to have launched gas acquisition tender for 2015 on 1 December 2014.
However, gas prices provided by tender participants did not meet the Rules for Companies Operating in the Energy Sector on Purchase of Energy or Fuel for Generation of Electricity or Heat. The rules were established by the Government's resolution and Vilniaus Energija has to follow them as it is heat supplying company regulated by the state.
The company says it has referred to responsible institutions on numerous occasions inquiring how to solve the situation, whether to continue or terminate the tendering process.
According to Vilniaus Energija, only on 27 January the Ministry of Energy clarified how to compare price formulas submitted during the tender with market prices. Afterwards, on 29 January, the company addressed the Public Procurement Office inquiring whether the tender may be continued. The answer is still to be received.
Moreover, Vilniaus Energija says it cannot purchase gas cheaply in the gas exchange as Lietuvos Duju Tiekimas maintains high gas price in the exchange. According to the company, it cannot reveal the price yet. Linas Samuolis, CEO of Vilniaus Energija, said prices will be revealed once the law allows to do so. He said the information will prove that gas supply company Lietuvos Duju Tiekimas, which is regulated by the state, intended to sell gas as expensively as possible.
According to the CEO, equally high gas prices are grounds to suspect a cartel agreement between gas suppliers and discriminatory attitude of Lietuvos Duju Tiekimas towards buyers. The CEO said Vilniaus Energija is considering addressing the Competition Council.
