Moldovan households face a possible 30% power price rise
Premier Energy has asked Moldova’s energy regulator to raise household electricity tariffs by 30%, from 3.56 to 4.64 lei per kilowatt-hour, for customers in central and southern Moldova, pending regulatory approval.
Higher procurement costs drive tariff request
Premier Energy says the proposed increase is necessary to cover rising electricity procurement costs and accumulated regulatory deviations.
The supplier estimates that its average electricity procurement cost has reached 2.89 lei per kWh, up from the 2.62 lei per kWh factored into current tariffs.
The company also wants to recover all accumulated regulatory deviations by the end of 2026. These deviations amount to 7.7% of its regulated revenue, according to its calculations.
The National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) is reviewing the documents and supporting arguments submitted by the supplier. The proposed tariff has not yet been approved.
Romania's electricity market adds pressure
Energy expert Sergiu Tofilat described conditions on the regional electricity market as difficult, saying high prices in Romania were putting additional pressure on Moldova, which imports more than half of its electricity consumption from its neighbour.
“The situation is very worrying when we import electricity from Romania, where prices are, I believe, currently among the highest in Europe. We should first hear ANRE's assessment, but the overall situation is quite complicated,” Tofilat told Teleradio-Moldova.
He said the average electricity price had risen from approximately €100/MWh in June to €275/MWh in October, while prices on the Romanian exchange had reached €300/MWh in recent days.
Tofilat also pointed to reduced domestic electricity generation in Romania. Both units at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant were shut down amid exceptionally low Danube water levels, while hydropower output was also constrained.
“The nuclear power plant is shut down, which means a 20% reduction in electricity generation. Hydropower plants are producing very little because water levels in the Danube are extremely low. These are the cheapest sources of electricity,” he said.
Romania has consequently increased its electricity imports, with peak imports reportedly reaching 3,000–3,200 MW, close to the interconnection lines' stated capacity of 3,400 MW.
Tofilat warned that continued pressure on the regional electricity system could eventually lead to supply disruptions.
ANRE to scrutinise procurement costs
Regarding Premier Energy's request, Tofilat said the regulator would examine the volumes of electricity imported, the average procurement price and the supplier's other expenses before deciding whether to approve the proposed tariffs.
He added that ANRE could adjust the requested prices following its assessment.
However, the expert warned that refusing to adjust tariffs could create financial difficulties for electricity suppliers, potentially affecting their ability to pay for imported power.
“If we do not adjust tariffs, we could reach a point where suppliers no longer have the money to pay for electricity imports. And we could be left without electricity,” Tofilat said.
Current electricity tariffs in Moldova
Households in central and southern Moldova, supplied by Premier Energy, currently pay 3.56 lei per kWh. Consumers in the north, served by Furnizarea Energiei Electrice Nord (FEE-Nord), pay 3.95 lei per kWh.
These rates apply to low-voltage electricity supplied under the universal service regime. Households with hourly electricity meters can also opt for differentiated daytime and nighttime tariffs.
The previous major tariff increase took effect on January 10, 2025. Premier Energy customers saw prices rise by approximately 75%, from 2.34 to 4.10 lei per kWh, while FEE-Nord customers faced a 65% increase, from 2.84 to 4.68 lei per kWh.
On March 31, 2026, ANRE approved lower tariffs, setting the rates currently in force.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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