Eugeniu Buzatu
The Romanian National Energy Regulatory Authority, by its order in May 2025, obliged suppliers to inform all consumers by June 10 that as of July 1, the state support scheme will no longer apply. In other words, electricity prices will be regulated by the market and not by the state.
The Romanian press writes that this will entail a significant increase in costs for most households, but also an opportunity to optimize their monthly electricity bill by making an informed choice of supplier.
The full liberalization of the market from July 1 is the end of regulated prices and consumer protection provided by limits on the level of electricity prices, Romanian media noted. From now on, the electricity tariff will depend on the choice of supplier and its offer, the electricity distribution zone (in some regions of the country, prices may be higher due to losses in worn-out power grids) and the consumer himself (small, medium or large).
Small consumers (less than 100 kWh per month) are expected to suffer the most, because they paid a preferential tariff during the period of restrictions. Medium consumers (100-255 kWh per month) will experience some increase in electricity tariffs. Large consumers (more than 255 kWh per month) will be the least affected. This is the opinion of Romanian experts.
In its turn, Moldova from July 1, 2025 will not be able to buy electricity from Romanian producers at the set price (unless there is a special decision in this regard). Price ceilings are canceled. Until now, about 30% of electricity imports from Romania by state-owned Energocom were purchased at a preferential tariff of 400 Romanian lei per MWh. Now all electricity from Romania will be purchased at market prices, which means higher prices.
According to Energocom, in May, approximately 318,000 MWh of electricity from domestic and foreign sources was purchased at a weighted average price of 106.6 euros per MWh. The largest share is accounted for by imports from Romania – 72.71%. And the volume of electricity purchased from local producers – Termoelectrica, Balti CHP-Nord, renewable sources – amounted to 27.29%.
In addition to the information from Energocom, it should be clarified that until January 1, the right-bank Moldova purchased 70-80% of the consumed energy wholesale in Transnistria, at the TPP in Cuciurgani. The plant is powered by natural gas. After the termination of Russian gas transit, Chisinau refused to cooperate with the TPP and started to purchase electricity from Romania.
According to officials, Chisinau is unlikely to return to purchasing electricity from Transnistria, “it is not profitable, given the current European market prices for gas.
Energocom acting director Eugeniu Buzatu explained that since the Romanian and Moldovan electricity markets are integrated, their producers were obliged to sell us electricity at a fixed price of 400 Romanian lei per MWh (about 80 euros). Energocom received electricity at this price from two producers – Nuclearelectrica and Hidroelectrica. This is about 30% of Moldova’s imports. The other part of electricity we used to buy on the free market, on the Romanian exchanges OPCOM and BRM.
Recently, the Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu said during an interview on one of the TV channels: “No changes in electricity and natural gas tariffs are expected in the coming months. However, we may observe some deviations in the fall, when the price of natural gas will be clarified”.
Many people took these words of the Minister as an inevitable increase in tariffs. But not now – right after the parliamentary elections….
