Vadim Cheban
In its press release, ANRE explains that “this decision completes the long-standing efforts of the Moldovan authorities to ensure the separation and independence of the natural gas transportation infrastructure”.
The agency relies on the fact that Moldovagaz failed to comply with the requirement of the EU’s Third Energy Package, aimed at liberalizing the gas and electricity markets in Europe. In its July communication, Moldovagaz notified ANRE of its inability to finalize the unbundling in accordance with Article 28 of the Law on Natural Gas, citing the lack of consensus among the majority shareholders. And it expressed its willingness to cooperate with the new supplier with public service obligations (Energocom).
Back in 2012, Moldova committed to comply with the norms of the Third Energy Package. It requires the separation of natural gas supply, transportation and distribution functions between different companies in order to prevent monopolization of the market. In the case of Moldovagaz, the division into three companies.
In July 2023, a similar event has already occurred with the revocation of another license for gas transportation by “Moldovatransgaz” (part of “Moldovagaz” JSC). ANRE appointed “Vestmoldtransgaz” as the temporary operator of the entire gas transportation system of Moldova. The assets were leased to it (not owned).
For the state-owned Energocom, the main task is the procurement, export-import of electricity and natural gas. It is actually a very small company that occupies a few rooms where managers are located to prepare for the signing of contracts. “Energocom does not have any technical capacities of its own. Knowing this, ANRE obliged Moldovagaz and Energocom to ensure the continuity of natural gas supply to end consumers. Simply put, the specialists and equipment owned by Moldovagaz will continue to work, while Energocom will be in charge of signing contracts and acting as a supplier.
In its turn, “Moldovagaz” published a statement that “the decision of ANRE of August 4, 2025 on the revocation of the license for natural gas supply was taken into account”. If the newly appointed supplier “Energocom” requests assistance in billing for consumer services, the parties will negotiate and sign a relevant contract. After all, there are more than 830 thousand consumers. And then, during the transition period until September 1, 2025, Energocom will have to decide how to organize the work with consumers.
Vadim Ceban, Acting Chairman of the Board of Moldovagaz, has repeatedly emphasized that Energocom does not have a database, the ability to issue invoices to consumers or to work with debtors. Not to mention purely technical issues of gas network maintenance. JSC “Moldovagaz” has 12 regional gas distribution companies (on the right bank), the company owns about 7 thousand kilometers of its own networks and several thousand kilometers belonging to local authorities and citizens.
Vadim Ceban explained that “Moldovagaz” JSC has carried out all internal procedures to prepare for the division. Technical and legal issues have been solved. However, the decision depends on the shareholders.
As it is known, the shares in the Moldovan-Russian JSC “Moldovagaz” are distributed as follows: “Gazprom” – 50%, Moldovan government – 35%, Transnistria – 13.44%, minority shareholders – 1.23%. Thus, the final decision rests with the majority shareholder, which is the Russian gas giant.
Gazprom’s official position is that it is necessary to first settle the problem of historical debts for natural gas supplies already made to Moldova, and only then proceed to the implementation of the EU’s Third Energy Package. “Gazprom calls the amount of the debt more than $700 million, the Moldovan side refuses to recognize it.
Unofficial sources claim that the need for the Moldovan authorities to fulfill the obligations of the Third Package with regard to Moldovagaz is connected with the conditions for the European partners to provide financial support to our country, namely in the energy sector. The winter will be difficult, and help will be needed for sure. Moldova will need loans and grants to purchase energy resources on the European market and to compensate high tariffs for consumers.
According to foreign media reports, in July 2025, Russian natural gas supplies via Turkish Stream to the European market rose to a maximum. The total volume of deliveries for the month amounted to 1.57 billion m3, or up to 50.5 million cubic meters per day. Additional volumes are going into gas storage facilities. Romania showed an increase in imports: about 200 million m3 of Russian gas could have arrived in Romania through the Bulgarian border in July.
According to foreign media, the Moldovan company Energocom also accumulates its main reserves in the Romanian storages. It is not excluded that it also buys Russian gas from traders. According to the documents, it is already European gas.
Naturally, the question arises: “will Moldovagaz leave the energy market”? According to the statements of the company’s management, there are no such plans. From the technical point of view, “Moldovagaz” JSC will continue to work to ensure the functionality of the equipment, and 5 thousand employees will remain at their workplaces. Moreover, Gazprom has not made any statements about its desire to sell its assets in Moldova. That is, the owner remains the same.
What will change for end consumers – from October the word “Energocom” will appear in gas payment receipts.
