In Moldova, 87 large companies buy natural gas exclusively on the free market at negotiated prices
The Ministry of Energy reported this, noting that this is a significant increase compared to 2023, when only 27 companies bought gas on the free market. In just one year, 60 large enterprises decided to switch to the free gas market, thus strengthening the development of the natural gas market in the country. The Ministry of Energy recalled that until the end of 2024, large enterprises had the right to conclude contracts for natural gas supply at regulated tariffs with universal suppliers, and the fulfillment of these contractual conditions, given the history of monopolized activities in the market, delayed the opening of a free, competitive and transparent market. From January 1, 2025, large companies can enter into new contracts in the open market, either through direct negotiations with gas suppliers or through trading platforms. The Ministry of Energy emphasizes that our country consumed natural gas purchased on European markets for almost all of 2023, paying about $60 million less than if natural gas had been purchased from Gazprom under the existing contract. As for medium-sized enterprises, until the end of 2026, they have the right to request the conclusion of gas supply contracts on regulated terms with suppliers who deliver gas to certain categories of end-consumers as part of the obligation to provide public services. These changes are part of a wide-ranging process of liberalization of the natural gas market aimed at bringing Moldova's energy legislation in line with EU standards. Through these measures, the authorities aim to support the development and liquidity of the natural gas market, strengthen the country's energy sector and ensure efficient and competitive energy prices. In the context of market liberalization, the operator of the natural gas trading platform is BRM EST, a subsidiary of the Romanian Commodity Exchange. Moldovagaz, the company responsible for supplying natural gas to household consumers, started purchasing natural gas on the exchange in May 2024. The share of natural gas supplied by Moldovagaz has fallen below 90%, and this process continues to help diversify supply sources and improve the efficiency of the natural gas market in Moldova. The Ministry of Energy notes that it is important that household consumers and state institutions have the right to choose between a free and regulated market, while the state should ensure the existence of universal service providers and, in case of emergency, to ensure the supply of gas to household consumers and small businesses. //13.01.2025 - InfoMarket.
