Consumers can compare energy offers on ANRE's platform
Household consumers in the Republic of Moldova can now easily compare offers from natural gas and electricity suppliers. The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) has launched a digital tool that aggregates market offers, allowing users to estimate costs based on their individual consumption. This platform is free to use, requires no account creation, and does not request any personal data.
ANRE's comparison tool is intended for household natural gas and electricity consumers, as well as small non-household natural gas consumers with annual consumption of up to 10,000 cubic meters. Additionally, the platform can also be utilized by micro-enterprises and small businesses in the case of electricity, according to ANRE director Constantin Borosan.
The costs displayed by the tool are estimates based on the consumption data entered. The actual amount on the bill may vary depending on real consumption and contractual terms.
“This platform serves as a centralized hub where all active retail suppliers serving these consumer categories can display their public offers for households and small non-household consumers. This platform does not purchase or sell energy, nor does it recommend any specific supplier. It is an independent platform— a single space for comparing supply offers,” stated the ANRE director.
According to Constantin Borosan, the comparison tool is just the first step for consumers wishing to switch suppliers. The process involves five stages: identifying and comparing offers, selecting a supplier, negotiating and signing the contract, submitting the switch request, and the new provider taking over supply.
Switching suppliers takes no more than 20 calendar days and is free of charge. Furthermore, implementing this tool will aid in liberalizing the country's market. “With the liberalization process, competition has been introduced in the supply segment, covering both the wholesale and retail markets, meaning that suppliers now compete with one another. Supply operations are based on several principles. First and foremost, suppliers are free to choose their natural gas sources and market their energy resources—whether natural gas or electricity—in accordance with the principles of freedom of enterprise and the free market,” noted Constantin Borosan.
The platform is currently in the testing phase, and ANRE has announced that it will be fully operational starting October 1. Suppliers have access to the platform and have already submitted their offers; ANRE has also adjusted various functionalities during the testing period.
ANRE developed the new comparison tool with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme and the Government of Italy, as part of the "Accelerating a just energy transition in the Republic of Moldova" program.
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