Energy
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has updated its forecast for global oil production rates in 2026.
Water inflow from the Carpathians to the Dniester reservoir decreased from 300 to 200 cubic meters per second. This occurs in a situation of rather high temperature conditions for the first half of March (up to plus 20 degrees Celsius during the day and above zero at night). The flow into the Moldovan part of the river (downstream of the Dniester HPP, Novodnestrovsk, Ukraine) is still the same – about 100 cubic meters per second.
The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) has released the maximum prices for major fuels for March 12, 2026.
The Board of Directors of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (NERA) approved the regulated revenues associated with natural gas distribution services for 2026 and the uniform rates for natural gas distribution services in effect nationally at a public meeting on March 10, 2026.
Overcoming the 2025 energy crisis by about two-thirds has been financed by the EU and European bilateral partners to the tune of €215 million, mainly in the form of grants for electricity procurement and support to households, businesses and social institutions. External support to the energy sector will be significantly reduced in 2026.
Approximately 50% of the price of gasoline and diesel fuel sold at gas stations in Moldova are taxes, in particular excise duties and VAT.
Early this Monday morning in Asia, Brent crude was up about 15.5% to $107.16/bbl, while U.S. Nymex Light Sweet crude was up more than 17% to $106.77/bbl.
Leading Greek companies in the electricity sector in Greece and the region, PPC Group and METLEN, have signed a joint venture agreement aimed at developing, constructing and operating a portfolio of BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) projects up to 1500 MW / 3000 MWh in Romania, Bulgaria and Italy.
For the first time since November 2025, Ukraine started supplying electricity abroad. Specifically, on March 5, a minimum export to Moldova was recorded. Before that, the last time electricity was exported was on November 11, 2025.
China imposes temporary restrictions on exports of diesel fuel and gasoline to meet domestic needs amid regional instability. Countries in the region are trying to find alternative sources, in particular, increasing interest in Kazakh oil.
The Katko uranium mining joint venture, whose shareholders are France’s Orano (51%) and Kazatomprom (49%), significantly increased production last year. For the French co-owner, the enterprise has become a key foreign asset in 2025.
In connection with the introduction of a high alert regime in the energy sector, the Customs Service of Moldova warned economic operators about the introduction of a number of restrictions on the export and re-export of oil products.
The director of the Romanian company Transgaz, Ion Sterian, has assured that Romania currently has no problems with natural gas supplies despite the escalation of the war in the Middle East. The head of Transgaz said that consumption is covered by domestic production and storage facilities, while gas transit to Ukraine and Moldova continues as usual.
European financial markets are under strain as the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran renews fears that an energy shock could exacerbate inflation. The region is almost entirely dependent on oil and gas imports. The price of Brent crude has risen nearly 10% since Friday, while natural gas prices in Europe have jumped 50%.
Romanian Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan claims that the Vertical Corridor could bring Romanian companies additional profits of up to 250 million euros a year.
On February 27, the Brussels authorities announced the launch of an in-depth investigation into the Oltenia energy complex in Romania. The reason was doubts as to whether Bucharest had complied with EU conditions in the process of restructuring the complex or had abused state aid and violated competition rules on the domestic market.
US President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address to Congress, breaking his record for the longest speech – it lasted 108 minutes, according to Logos Press.
During his visit to Washington, Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu met with representatives of the World Bank (WB) and and Carlyle Group, Logos Press reported.
Moldova is open to participation in the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe energy corridor project and is also considering the possibility of purchasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Azerbaijan, Logos Press reported.
An expert group of the European Commission with the participation of representatives of Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia will discuss the consequences of disruptions in oil supplies through the Druzhba oil pipeline and alternative routes of fuel transportation (including the use of the Croatian Adriatic pipeline), Logos Press reported.
