News about Energy

UPDATED. Representatives of several parliamentary and non-parliamentary opposition parties, along with citizens who had traveled from Chisinau and other parts of the country, held a protest on Tuesday in front of the parliament building against the increase in natural gas rates and the policies pursued by the authorities.

Yesterday, the government’s press office attempted to reassure the Moldovan public. The main message was that the authorities are addressing the diesel fuel shortage. At the time the press release was issued, two barges—carrying 6,000 metric tons of fuel—had arrived in the country, and the same amount was expected to arrive by the end of the day. The only catch is that the Cabinet of Ministers did not specify the origin, ownership, or distribution process for this resource.

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu stated that part of the gas rate increase could be mitigated by reducing Moldovagaz’s administrative expenses. A bill has been introduced that is intended to encourage the company to optimize its structure and expenses. In any case, according to the speaker, the government will continue to provide compensation during the cold season.

The Moldovan government is initiating a state of heightened readiness in the energy sector amid the risk of disruptions in fuel supplies, particularly diesel. The decision was approved at a meeting convened by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, who warned that the convergence of several regional crises could negatively impact the domestic market in the midst of the agricultural season.

The first official visit by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Vasile Tofan, will be to Bucharest, where he is scheduled to discuss with Romanian officials the situation on the fuel market and the identification of joint solutions.

The Romanian Parliament may pass a bill that would allow only “certified biomass” to be used for heating homes and other domestic purposes. That is, sawdust, wood shavings, and other wood waste, but not logs or firewood.

Over the course of the week, Energocom JSC held nine auctions to procure natural gas for the upcoming gas year, specifically for the period from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.

UNDP (PNUD Moldova) and the European Union are beginning to use “green bonds” to finance pilot energy communities in the towns of Roșcani, Călinești, Leova, and Geamăna (Roșcani, Călinești, Leova, and Geamăna). These specialized municipal bonds are viewed as promising financial instruments for local infrastructure and the energy transition.

The European Union is considering changing the mechanism for imposing sanctions against Russia, moving away from the practice of large “packages” in favor of smaller, issue-specific blocks. The idea is being discussed following difficult negotiations on the 21st package of restrictions, which once again demonstrated how difficult it is to secure unanimous support from all member states.

The Association of Grain and Oilseed Producers, Forța Fermierilor, has expressed deep concern over the “worsening crisis in the supply of diesel fuel needed for agricultural work.”

Investments in energy conservation in Moldova are economically viable but face significant barriers. The economy’s high energy intensity, rising utility rates, and government programs worth billions of lei underscore the urgency of modernization. However, the process is being held back by a lack of effectiveness assessments—for example, for large-scale government housing modernization programs costing 1.4 billion lei.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (MIDR), together with relevant agencies and gas distribution network operators, discussed measures to improve the operational safety of gas systems. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to prepare proposals to amend legislation and strengthen oversight in this area.

The Romanian company Transgaz will invest 26.4 million euros in a new project to increase natural gas transmission capacity to Moldova.

By the end of the day on July 22, 2026, the price of natural gas on the European Stock Exchange reached 61.80 euros/MWh, which is 2.17 euros/MWh higher than the previous day, when the price stood at 59.63 euros/MWh.

The price of natural gas traded on the European Stock Exchange continues to rise. Over the past 24 hours, it reached 59.84 EUR/MWh, which is 1.25 EUR/MWh higher than the previous day, when it stood at 58.30 EUR/MWh.

Energocom, Moldova’s state-owned company and primary gas supplier, has launched a series of auctions to procure natural gas for the upcoming gas year, running from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.

The new British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has announced the elimination of VAT on electricity for households. Starting October 1, the rate will drop from the current 5% to zero. According to government estimates, this will save families at least 45 pounds (about 1,060 Moldovan lei) per year. 

Moldova will serve as a test case for the latest reforms aimed at integrating the European Union’s gas market when mandatory rules for the allocation of bundled capacity take effect at its borders on August 5.

The Administrative Council of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) today approved an additional levy on gasoline and diesel fuel of 48 ban per liter. The levy will take effect on August 1.

The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) will review Energocom’s application to increase the regulated natural gas rate on Friday, July 24.