Enargas published the new tariff schedule that distributors in the City and the Buenos Aires suburbs apply as of today. The rise in gas was added to the increases in electricity and water rates, which will rise 2% and 2.7% respectively.
Following the announcement by the Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, about the increase of cost of natural gas in December, the government made the new tariff schedule official, which began to take effect at dawn on December 4. Likewise, it was highlighted that this price update responds to the need to readjust costs within the framework of the state of emergency in the national energy sector, the validity of which was recently extended.
The controller of the National Gas Regulatory Entity (ENARGAS), Carlos Alberto María Casares, made the increases in gas rates official through Resolution 825/2024published in the Official Gazette. This measure responds to the directive of the Ministry of Economy, which seeks “maintain prices and rates in the sector in real values as stable as possible.”
How much will gas cost in December?
With the new rate table, the monthly fixed charge for category R will be $2,544.09 in the City of Buenos Aires and $2,938.02 in the province of Buenos Aires. For users of the R2 category in the Federal Capital, the following amounts were established: $7,542.56 (1st), $9,149.45 (2nd) and $11,566.52 (3rd). Meanwhile, the values for the Buenos Aires suburbs will be: $6,824.67 (1st), $8,369.47 (2nd) and $10,368.69 (3rd).
For the subzone classified as R3, the following monthly charges were set in the City of Buenos Aires: $14,249.63 (1st), $18,692.21 (2nd), $25,528.44 (3rd) and $60,781.07 (4th ). In the province of Buenos Aires, the values will be: $13,426.27 (1st), $15,942.82 (2nd), $19,731.46 (3rd) and $33,030.83 (4th). The consumption charge, meanwhile, was established at $192.67 per cubic meter (m³) for all categories and regions.
In parallel, Other rates such as electricity, water and fuel were also updated. In this context, the Minister of Economy indicated that “Natural gas transportation and distribution rates should increase by 3%.” Likewise, he noted that the value of the Transportation System Entry Point (PIST) will be defined by ENARGAS, following the formula stipulated in article 5 of Resolution 41/2024.
The authorities argued that the rate increase was necessary to “prevent a deterioration that compromises the sustainability of the sector and even threatens its continuity.” They also highlighted that the national energy sector remains in a state of emergency until July 9, 2025, in accordance with Decree 1023/2024.
In this framework, the Ministry of Energy urged state agencies to implement “essential actions” that allow costs to be competitive in the market, while guaranteeing the adequate distribution of services for providers and users of all categories.
New energy subsidy scheme
For her part, the Secretary of Energy, María Tettamanti, announced the implementation of a new subsidy scheme for electricity and natural gas, inspired by the social tariff system, although more restrictive. This will mean that a portion of the current beneficiaries will lose access to the subsidy. According to Tettamanti, the readjustment process could last until April 2025.
The progressive elimination of subsidies in energy rates will especially affect 10 million low- and middle-income households, whichThose who will begin to receive electricity and natural gas bills that reflect the real cost of the service. In contrast, higher-income users, who already receive few subsidies, will not experience major changes. This adjustment comes after a year marked by significant rate increases.
Source: Ambito
