Gas Price Rises 52% Above Projected Level: Moldova’s Tariff May Be Revised

The natural gas tariff in Moldova could be revised again if prices on international markets remain at the high levels seen in recent days. National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) Director Constantin Borosan said that in such a case, the supplier would have to recalculate its costs and submit a request to the Agency for a possible change to the regulated price, bani.md reports. The statement came amid a rise in natural gas prices on the spot market to around €82 per MWh, nearly 52% above the level used when the current tariff was set. For the August-December period, the tariff calculations were based on a purchase price of approximately €54 per MWh. The difference is therefore around €28 per MWh. If prices on international exchanges remain at their current levels, pressure on the tariff paid by Moldovan consumers could intensify. “If this trend persists, the Natural Gas Law and the tariff methodology clearly stipulate that the license holder, the natural gas supplier, must carry out the necessary calculations and submit an application to ANRE,” Constantin Borosan said. The ANRE director clarified that there is currently no decision to raise the tariff. The Agency is monitoring developments on international markets, while any potential intervention will depend on how long the high prices persist and on the calculations submitted by the supplier. Borosan explained that the rise in gas prices on international markets is linked, among other factors, to the worsening situation in the Middle East, which has affected available supply volumes and international routes for transporting energy resources. The current gas tariff stands at 20.30 lei per cubic meter and has been in effect since September 1.