New tariffs for natural gas enter into force in Moldova as of 1 December. Energy Regulator's decision published in Official Journal

Chisinau, 30 November /MOLDPRES/ - The decision of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) on the increase in the tariffs for natural gas was published in the Official Journal (Monitorul Oficial) of Moldova today.  

Under the document, the citizens will pay 15.50 lei (without value added tax –VAT)) for one cubic metre of gas, up by 3.35 lei against the present tariff. The new tariffs were approved after the Moldovagaz stock company several days ago had submitted an application on the adjusting of prices to ANRE, reasoning the decision through ‘’considerable increases in prices on the international market.’’

The Moldovagaz stock company asked for a price of 16.17 lei (without VAT), which is by 33.1 per cent more against at present, while ANRE approved a price of 15.50 lei, down by 0.67 lei against what Moldovagaz demanded. The new tariffs will enter into force on 1 December 2024.   

ANRE director Alexei Taran said that the decision on increasing the tariffs had been necessary, in the context of a growth of the international prices, which resulted also in the increase in the purchasing price for natural gas by the Moldovagaz stock company.  

„Thus, at the completion of the procedure of procurement by Moldovagaz of natural gas till the end of the 2024 year, decision-makers found out a significant difference between the effective final acquisition price and the prices included in the calculation of the regulated prices in force, approved in last May. This reason led to the need of a quick intervention in the regulated prices,’’ Alexei Taran said.     

At a news conference, Labour and Social Protection Minister Alexei Buzu said that ‘’the citizens will not feel the increases in tariff and the government’s clear-cut commitment, through which the citizens will not pay more than in the last year, will be fully accomplished.’’  

The official also said that, in November, the beneficiaries would receive compensation varying between 300 and 800 lei, depending on families’ incomes. The minister noted that, in case of adjustings of tariffs, the government would increase also the size of the compensations provided to the citizens.    

The last change of the price for gas was approved in early May 2024, when the tariffs decreased by 1.24 lei, from 13.39 lei to 12.15 lei.   

Source: Moldova’s Official Journal