The power companies are the biggest debtors of SOCAR at present. Debt of Azerenerji company has reached 280 million AZN ($357.5 million at the current rate), Suleyman Gasymov, SOCAR Vice President for Economic Affairs, told journalists.
He said Azerenerji cannot pay SOCAR for the natural gas delivered to its thermal power stations.
Asked by Turan what is the problem with non-payment for gas supplies, if the power company has informed the publicity about collection of over 90% of power fees, Gasymov explained that this is applied to the population. The problem is with the other customers.
Azerenerji’s main problem is with Azersu state-run company, which supplies water and provides sewage services throughout the country and owes a large amount for supplied electricity. Some other state companies also have debts, the debts keep on accumulating and SOCAR does not receive any income for gas supplies.
In December 2013 the Tariff Council (state regulator) increased the price for the power companies from 42 to 80 AZN per 1000 cub.m.
