Moldova Hikes Natural Gas Tariffs Amid Global Price Surge

Moldova's National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) has approved a significant increase in natural gas tariffs, effective September 1, 2026. The new rate will be €1.04 per cubic meter, including VAT, which is a 40.8% hike from the current rate. This decision comes after state-owned supplier Energocom accumulated financial deviations of approximately €5.46 million (107 million MDL) due to surging global wholesale prices.

ANRE Director General Alexei Taran noted that Moldova's dependence on imported natural gas necessitates adjusting the tariff to ensure the public supplier retains sufficient liquidity to secure reserves ahead of peak winter demand. The current tariffs, set in February 2026 based on a purchase price of €38 per megawatt-hour, no longer reflect market realities.

The recent escalation of Middle Eastern conflicts has significantly pushed up European benchmark prices, leading to a projected surge in import costs from €423.28 per thousand cubic meters between January and July 2026 to €623.54 per thousand cubic meters between August and December.