Moldova has sufficient gas reserves through end of March - Energy Ministry

CHISINAU. Jan 18 (Interfax) - Gas reserves created by Moldova since autumn will last through the end of March, Energy Minister Viktor Parlikov said on Moldovan TV.

"As of January 1, just under 400 million cubic meters of gas were in storage. Considering it will not always be as cold as it is now, this should be enough to last through the end of March. Even if it is not enough, it will be possible to purchase additional volumes on the exchange. Moreover, prices are favorable at the moment," he said.

Moldovagaz is currently preparing a request to the National Energy Regulatory Agency to reduce gas tariffs, he said.

"It is unlikely they will have time to prepare all the documents to reduce consumer rates as of February 1. However, I think the decision will come from the Energy Regulatory Agency in February. At the same time, you need to be careful. Now the price of gas is good, and we will purchase it, including at this price. But, we cannot hope that the entire year the purchase price will be $300 [for 1,000 cubic meters]. We remember what happened in 2022 and at the beginning of 2023," the minister said.

Currently, consumers in Moldova pay 18.07 lei ($1.05) per cubic meter of gas (including VAT). The tariff was last revised in June 2023 and was reduced more than 30%. During the last heating season, consumers paid 29.27 lei per cubic meter.