Junghietu: Moldova May Move Towards Long-Term Gas Supply Contracts

Against a backdrop of instability in the energy market and heightened geopolitical tensions, including in the Middle East, the Moldovan authorities are considering the possibility of entering into longer-term contracts for the purchase of natural gas. This was stated by Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu in comments to Realitatea. According to the minister, the current situation requires a review of approaches to energy procurement. He emphasized that the Ministry of Energy is not directly involved in gas procurement, as this is handled by the company Energocom. “They have a procurement strategy for this year. Obviously, it needs to be adjusted depending on the current situation and market conditions,” Junghietu noted. The minister clarified that the authorities had suggested the company consider the possibility of concluding more stable contracts for gas supplies. According to him, options for cooperation with various external partners, including Azerbaijan and European companies, are being discussed. Junghietu recalled that, in this context, he had already visited Baku, where possible long-term supplies were discussed. He emphasized that the Energocom team is already working on this, as the current geopolitical situation requires a more flexible and sustainable strategy. “We need to focus on stability and, perhaps, move towards contracts for at least the medium term, if not the long term,” the minister added. According to him, the authorities aim to ensure greater predictability in the country’s energy market. At the same time, he noted that the situation on the global gas market remains unstable. Separately, the minister mentioned that the crisis surrounding Iran could become one of the most serious shocks to the gas market since the start of the war in Ukraine. Experts warn that any disruptions to supplies from the Middle East could intensify competition for energy resources. This, in turn, could lead to a rise in global gas prices, including on the European market.