Moldova’s National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) has defended a new round of natural gas tariff increases, pointing to a widening gap between regulated consumer prices and the actual procurement costs faced by the state-owned supplier, Energocom.
The regulator stated that the purchase price for gas is now approximately €200 higher than the level embedded in current tariffs.
In the first half of 2026, the average price of natural gas in Europe rose 11% year-on-year to $515 per 1,000 cubic meters, fueled by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and seasonal demand shifts.
This discrepancy, driven by rising benchmark quotations on European exchanges, necessitates the adjustment to prevent further financial strain on the supplier.
The move comes as energy costs continue to pressure households across the region.
In the first half of 2026, the average price of natural gas in Europe rose 11% year-on-year to $515 per 1,000 cubic meters, fueled by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and seasonal demand shifts.
Moldova has already seen multiple price hikes in recent weeks, including a second increase in liquefied petroleum gas within a fortnight.