Moldova's Energy Ministry is not in charge of buying and selling gas, these tasks are performed by companies, and the government can intervene only by compensating vulnerable consumers in case of tariffs increase - Victor Parlicov
Energy Minister said this while speaking at a public hearing on the increase in the natural gas tariffs and its impact on consumers and the national economy. He recalled that in 2022 and 2023, when there was a gas crisis in the country, gas was purchased based on the decisions of the Commission for Emergency Situations, and there were no market mechanisms then. At the same time, since 2024, the gas purchase process has returned to normal and, after the completion of the gas supply contract with Energocom, Moldovagaz has been buying gas since May this year within normal market mechanisms, through the stock exchange. Victor Parlicov pointed out that the Energy Ministry does not deal with gas trade, but develops policies, and, according to the EU, Moldova's energy sector has made great progress in recent years. The head of the Energy Ministry stressed that the purchase and sale of gas in Moldova is handled by companies, but since it is a sensitive topic, the Ministry intervenes during the year only by organizing meetings, discussions with companies, monitoring the market and giving recommendations. “But we are not involved in gas purchases. Moldova does not have its own gas, it is bought on the international market and companies do it. The government, the Ministry of Energy only takes measures to open additional opportunities at the political level, help companies to trade on other markets. Buying and selling gas is the task of companies. The government plays an important role, monitors, discusses important aspects. The government has a compensation mechanism and, at the political level, the possibility to get financing for gas purchases, including for preferential gas prices. But the government has only one instrument of intervention - compensation for the growth of tariffs for vulnerable consumers,” Victor Parlicov emphasized. // 03.11.2024 - InfoMarket.
