---
title: "Prime Minister Vasile Tofan admits electricity prices will likely increase"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/88118/prime-minister-vasile-tofan-admits-electricity-prices-will-likely-increase
published: 2026-10-25T10:21:00Z
language: en
author: "Bogdan Nigai"
section: "Economic"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Prime Minister Vasile Tofan admits electricity prices will likely increase

> Electricity prices in the Republic of Moldova could rise soon. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan acknowledges that tariffs for end consumers are likely to rise, following a request from Energocom to raise the regulated price at which it supplies a portion of the electricity. The head of the government stated that it is too early to determine the exact extent of the increase in utility bills; however, he pointed to estimates from the leadership of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), which has indicated a potential price hike of approximately 15%.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/322ba845-01a1-4c7a-b9a0-e64ee46918f5.jpg)

Electricity prices in the Republic of Moldova could rise soon. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan acknowledges that tariffs for end consumers are likely to rise, following a request from Energocom to raise the regulated price at which it supplies a portion of the electricity. The head of the government stated that it is too early to determine the exact extent of the increase in utility bills; however, he pointed to estimates from the leadership of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), which has indicated a potential price hike of approximately 15%.

Any potential price increase requested by Energocom will not be reflected in the same proportion in the bills the public pays. This is because the company provides only a portion of the electricity procured by Premier Energy and FEE Nord—the suppliers that serve end consumers. Energocom's share varies by season, Vasile Tofan explained during the "Raport" podcast.

*"In Moldova, we purchase electricity from two suppliers. If you are in the central region, Chișinău, or the south, you buy it from Premier Energy; if you live in the north, you buy it from FEE Nord. Energocom acts as one of the suppliers to Premier Energy and FEE Nord. Energocom has requested the tariff increase in its capacity as a central supplier. The share of Energocom as a central supplier within the mix used by Premier Energy or FEE Nord varies by month: it is roughly 15% in the summer and 35% in the winter,"* the official stated.

The rise in electricity production costs is partly linked to the increased price of natural gas, which is used by combined heat and power (CHP) plants. These plants help meet electricity demand, particularly during the cold season. According to the official, this factor must be taken into account when analyzing requests for price adjustments. "So, to a large extent, this relates to the energy supplied by the combined heat and power plants (CHPs)—CET Nord and Termoelectrica. Energocom has now submitted a request about this specific tariff component—which, I should note, fluctuates throughout the year and accounts for roughly 15% to 35% of the total (though my figures might be off by a few percentage points). Since this portion is largely generated using natural gas—and the price of gas has risen—they have requested a tariff increase," explained Tofan.

While he considers an increase in utility bills likely, the head of the government is refraining from predicting the exact level of the new tariffs until ANRE (the National Energy Regulatory Agency) has reviewed the company's calculations. In this regard, the Prime Minister pointed to statements made by Alexei Taran, a director at the regulatory authority.

"Mr. Taran from ANRE referred to the final energy tariff paid by the consumer, mentioning a range of 10–15%. I don’t want to specify the exact increase, but it is highly probable that we will see some rise in energy costs," stated Vasile Tofan.

Energocom published its request on October 23. The company is seeking approval for a regulated price of 3.51 lei/kWh for electricity supplied in its capacity as the central supplier—up from the current rate of 2.01 lei/kWh (excluding VAT). This represents an increase of approximately 74.6%.

According to economist Veaceslav Ioniță, speaking to Teleradio-Moldova, Energocom’s request could lead to an increase of roughly 15–20% in the tariffs paid by the general public. According to the expert, the final impact could be greater if the cost of imported electricity also rises, or if other supplier expenses increase.

On August 25, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan offered a more optimistic outlook. On a public television show, he said he did not expect electricity tariffs to rise before the end of the year, although he acknowledged that regional market prices had risen in the preceding weeks. Tofan said at the time that his forecast depended on market developments.

For now, ANRE has not decided on Energocom’s request. The authority must verify whether the requested increase is justified and may approve a different price than the company proposed.

Even if Energocom’s request is approved, tariffs for household consumers will not change automatically. For any potential adjustment, Premier Energy and FEE Nord would need to submit their own calculations, and ANRE would have to examine the costs separately before issuing the appropriate decisions.

Currently, household consumers in the central and southern regions of the Republic of Moldova pay 3.56 lei per kWh of electricity, while those in the north of the country pay 3.95 lei/kWh. The most recent tariff adjustment occurred on March 31, 2026, when ANRE approved a slight price reduction.