Moldova allocates $261 mln to compensate consumers for energy costs in heating season

CHISINAU. Nov 17 (Interfax) - Consumers in Moldova will be supported by a state program to compensate energy costs consisting of more than 5 billion lei, which is approximately $261.4 million at the current exchange rate, between November 2022 and March 2023, Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said at a press conference on Thursday.

Household consumers will be compensated for a maximum of 180 cubic meters of gas consumed per month, Gavrilita said. All consumers have been divided into four categories depending on income and energy costs. Compensation is also envisioned to pay for central heating and electricity.

A total of 645,000 requests have been filed to receive compensation.

Moldova's National Agency for Energy Regulation decided to raise electricity rates for consumers in Moldova at the beginning of November. The price for electricity provided by Premier Energy, which supplies central and southern Moldova, will rise 51% from 3.15 lei per kilowatt-hour to 4.77 lei/kWh, while state-owned company FEE Nord, which supplies electricity to the north of the country, will raise prices 50% from 3.21 lei/kWh to 4.81 lei/kWh. This is Moldova's fourth rate hike for electricity in 2022.

The official exchange rate for November 17 is 19.1281 lei/$1.