Ukraine's National Commission for Energy Regulation (NCER) will leave unchanged the price cap on natural gas for industrial and associated consumers, and also for budget-sustained organizations, in April 2013.

The natural gas price for industrial consumers will be UAH 3,509 per 1,000 cubic meters, excluding VAT, target-markup charges, and tariffs for transportation and delivery, sources with the commission told Interfax-Ukraine, referring to the resolution passed on April 1, 2013.

As reported, the commission increased the price cap for industrial and associated consumers and for budget-sustained organizations by 3.8% - from UAH 3,382 to UAH 3,509 per 1,000 cubic meters in January 2012 (excluding VAT, target-markup charges, and tariffs for transportation and delivery).

In the second through fourth quarter of 2012, the gas price cap for industrial consumers was left unchanged.

National oil and gas stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy figures show that in Q1, 2012 the price for Russian natural gas was around $416 per 1,000 cubic meters, in Q2 - around $425, in Q3 - around $426, and in Q4 - around $430. The price of Russian gas in Q1, 2013 was some $406 per 1,000 cubic meters.

Ukraine's state budget for 2013 reckons an average annual price of $421 per 1,000 cubic meters.

The National Commission for Energy Regulation regulates the activity of monopoly entities in the energy sector and oil and gas industries, and implements state price and tariff setting policies in these spheres.