Energocom board member resigns amid 45% gas hike request
Moldova’s state energy supplier, Energocom, has formally requested approval from the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) to raise domestic natural gas tariffs by 45%.
If approved, prices will jump from €0.74 (14.42 MDL) to €1.07 (20.93 MDL) per cubic meter. The company cited accumulated financial deficits from early 2026 and rising European procurement costs driven by Middle East volatility.
Surging costs on European markets
Energy analyst Eugen Muravschi of the WatchDog community noted that the request aligns with regulatory methodology. However, he expects ANRE to approve a slightly lower increase than requested, following historical precedents.
The price hike stems from European regional exchanges—such as Romania, Bulgaria, and Central Europe—where companies are competing for liquefied natural gas (LNG) ahead of winter. Tensions in the Middle East have driven Asian buyers to pay premium rates, forcing European buyers to match rising costs.
Governance rift and transparency concerns
The announcement triggered immediate internal fallout within the state supplier. On Wednesday morning, Alexandr Slusari, a civil society representative on Energocom’s Board of Directors, announced his resignation.
Slusari cited a total lack of transparency regarding how the company prepared and submitted the tariff adjustment request to regulators.
Winter purchasing strategy and quarterly updates
To mitigate future market shocks, Moldova’s Ministry of Energy has proposed updating gas tariffs quarterly. This mechanism aims to pass price drops to consumers faster whenever global markets cool down.
Energocom is expected to repeat last winter's strategy by purchasing gas in advance linked to the Dutch TTF index. While this delays price certainty until December, it leaves room for savings if geopolitical tensions ease before winter.
Urgent need for vulnerable consumer support
Analyst Eugen Muravschi urged the government to prioritize targeted financial support and energy efficiency programs. Accelerating insulation initiatives could halve heating consumption, directly offsetting the price spike.
Without immediate compensation mechanisms from the Ministry of Finance and Social Protection, analysts warn that a sudden €0.33 (6.51 MDL) increase per cubic meter will create severe economic hardship for vulnerable households.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
