The National Energy Regulatory Agency made this decision at a meeting on September 28, approving new regulated prices for the supply of natural gas by the state-owned company Energocom to certain categories of end users as part of its public service obligations. As the energy regulator notes, the price revision was primarily due to an increase in the cost of purchasing natural gas for October–December 2026, which rose to 17,050 lei per 1,000 cubic meters, compared to 12,150 lei per 1,000 cubic meters, which is factored into the current prices. Changes in the other components of the regulated prices had a negligible impact on their final level. The ANRE emphasizes that the rise in the purchase cost of gas reflects trends in European natural gas markets. Recently, prices have been rising and are highly volatile amid the approaching cold season and growing demand for restocking. At the same time, competition for available volumes of liquefied natural gas, limited access to certain supply sources, and risks related to supply security have put additional pressure on prices. Under these circumstances, a price adjustment was necessary to ensure that prices reflect the actual costs required to purchase and supply natural gas in the coming period. Maintaining existing prices amid rising procurement costs would have led to the accumulation of new financial discrepancies for the supplier, which is entrusted with the obligation to provide public services that would subsequently have to be reimbursed through regulated prices in future periods, as well as to an increase in the supplier's financial risk regarding the ability to procure and supply natural gas. In setting the new prices, the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) reviewed Energocom's request, the submitted calculations, and supporting documents, and verified the components included in the structure of regulated prices. The urgent approval of new tariffs was necessary due to a significant change in the purchase price of natural gas and the approaching cold season. This procedure is provided for by the Natural Gas Law for situations involving general economic interests and consumer interests. In addition, a state of emergency was declared in Moldova's energy and hydrological sectors effective September 26. Following its review, ANRE approved the following new regulated gas prices: 18,641 lei/1,000 cubic meters—at entry points into the natural gas transmission networks; 19,228 lei/1,000 cubic meters—at exit points from natural gas transmission networks; 19,623 lei/1,000 cubic meters—at exit points from high-pressure distribution networks; 20,691 lei/1,000 cubic meters—at exit points from the medium-pressure distribution networks; 24,202 lei/1,000 cubic meters—at exit points from the low-pressure distribution networks. Thus, residential customers served by Energocom will pay 24.2 lei per cubic meter of gas, excluding VAT (26.14 lei including 8% VAT), instead of 18.79 lei (20.3 lei). The new regulated prices will take effect on October 1. The last time the natural gas rate for residential consumers in Moldova was raised was on August 21, by 40.7%—from 13.35 to 18.79 lei per cubic meter, excluding VAT (from 14.42 to 20.3 lei, including 8% VAT). The new rate took effect on September 1. Meanwhile, Energocom has now requested that ANRE raise the natural gas rate for residential consumers in Moldova by 29.4%—from 18.79 to 24.31 lei per cubic meter, excluding VAT (from 20.3 to 26.25 lei, including 8% VAT). // 28.09.2026 — InfoMarket