News about Gas

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 Ministry of Energy is proposing to merge 12 gas distribution companies into a single entity, with the aim of reducing administrative costs and improving the sector’s efficiency. Vadim Ceban, Chairman of the Board of MoldovaGas JSC, stated that the company supports the initiative but emphasized that the reorganization itself will not lead to a noticeable reduction in natural gas rates.

The European Union has agreed on its 21st package of sanctions against Russia following several weeks of tough negotiations. EU countries have maintained key restrictions against Moscow but made a concession to Greece, which secured the right to continue transporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) outside the European Union.

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 National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) has published for public comment a draft decision on the review and approval of regulated prices for the supply of natural gas by Energocom to certain categories of end users as part of its public service obligation.

Romania risks facing a serious crisis in the fuel market after Kazakhstan—which accounts for 63% of its imports—suspended oil shipments, according to Romanian economist Adrian Negrescu.

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. 

The diesel fuel shortage is becoming increasingly acute in Europe, which will cause stocks to fall by the end of the year to their lowest level since 2015—299 million barrels.

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

Journalists at RIA Novosti compiled a ranking of natural gas prices in Europe and calculated how much natural gas a resident of each country can buy with one average monthly salary.

Energocom has submitted an official request to ANRE to raise regulated natural gas prices—and, for the first time, has publicly explained the figures underlying this request.

The state-owned company Energocom has submitted a request to the National Energy Regulatory Agency (NARE) with a proposal to increase the regulated natural gas tariff for residential consumers by 45.2%—from 13.35 to 19.38 lei per cubic meter, excluding VAT. Including VAT, the price could rise from 14.42 to 20.93 lei per cubic meter if the regulator approves the request.

The notion that Moldova will soon no longer need natural gas is dangerous and could be harmful. Vadim Cheban, chairman of the board of “Moldovagaz,” expressed this view on social media.

The European aviation market finds itself in a vulnerable position: the region’s fuel reserves will last less than 30 days, and new risks in the Middle East could complicate jet fuel supplies. Europe has already increased imports from the U.S. and Asia, ramped up refinery utilization, and tapped into reserves, but its dependence on external suppliers remains high.

China’s crude oil imports in June fell to their lowest level since October 2016, despite the escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf. The sharp decline in purchases by the world’s largest oil importer served as a new sign of weakening demand and heightened uncertainty in the global energy market.

The German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, one of the world’s five largest container carriers, has criticized the U.S. proposal to impose a 20 percent levy on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz.