Moldova's Energocom Seeks 29% Gas Tariff Hike Amid European Price Surge

Energocom, Moldova's state energy supplier, has requested a 29.3% natural gas tariff increase due to rapid price surges across European trading hubs. The company cites past profits as being tied to historical deficits incurred in 2023 when gas was sold below purchase cost.

According to Energocom Director Eugeniu Buzatu, the surplus profit of €19.8 million (approx. 400 million MDL) resulted from Norway's Nansen support grant, which covered the past shortfall. However, these funds cannot be used to offset rising consumer prices or reduce the impact of the new tariff increase.

The proposed tariff hike would bring household retail tariffs from 20.30 MDL (€1.00) to 26.24 MDL (€1.30) per cubic metre, marking the third price increase for domestic consumers since January 2026. ANRE Director General Alexei Taran confirmed that recent spikes on the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) left the regulator with little room for manoeuvre.