Gas tariff in Moldova to rise 41% in Sept - regulator

CHISINAU. Aug 21 (Interfax) - Moldova's National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) on Friday increased regulated prices for natural gas supplied by state-owned Energocom, ANRE said in a statement.

The tariff for end consumers will be 18.8 lei per cubic meter (excluding VAT) starting September 1, up 40.8% from the current 13.35 lei.

Primary gas supplier Energocom had proposed that regulated natural gas tariffs be raised 45.1% to 19.37 per cubic meter.

"The decision followed a review of a request submitted by Energocom and verification of estimates and supporting documents submitted by the supplier. The adjustment was caused primarily by a substantial increase in the cost of purchasing natural gas and changes in the terms for supplies for the rest for the year," the regulator said.

ANRE said the average natural gas procurement price had increased from 404 euros to 598.5 euros per thousand cubic meters. "Procurement prices came under additional pressure from risks related to the conflict in the Middle East, the approach of the cold season and elevated demand for natural gas due to the need to replenish reserves for the 2026-2027 season, competition for available liquefied natural gas volumes and the limited availability of some sources of supply," it said.

The regulator also said the natural gas price did not only reflect the purchase price, but also the costs of transmission, injection, storage and extraction of natural gas from fields, as well as other associated costs and logistics expenses.

ANRE on July 22 submitted for public discussion a draft resolution to increase the natural gas tariff for end consumers by 40.8%.

The tariff also incorporates gas transmission and distribution costs, supply costs, including billing and customer service costs, and the supplier's regulated profitability. Taking these costs into account, after the tariff increase, the cost of gas for end consumers will be the equivalent of 1,011 euros per thousand cubic meters.

The state-owned Energocom was appointed the country's designated gas supplier and granted the right to provide public utilities services from September 1, 2025, replacing JSC Moldovagaz, whose license to supply gas was revoked by ANRE. Energocom currently accounts for over 90% of the gas imported to right-bank Moldova and is responsible for supplying over 830,000 consumers with gas.

Moldova imports around 0.9 bcm of natural gas each year, which it purchases on international commodity exchanges, primarily in Romania.