ANRE plans to increase the gas tariff for residential consumers by 40.7% – from 13.35 to 18.79 lei per 1,000 cubic meters excluding VAT (from 14.42 to 20.29 lei including 8% VAT)
This follows from the draft resolution "On approving regulated prices for natural gas supplies by Energocom to certain categories of end consumers within the framework of public service obligations" published by the National Agency for Energy Regulation. ANRE proposes setting the tariff at low-pressure natural gas distribution network outlets at 18,798 lei per 1,000 cubic meters, instead of the 19,378 lei per 1,000 cubic meters requested by the state-owned company Energocom. Therefore, if ANRE adopts the tariff in this form without changes, the gas tariff for residential consumers will increase by 40.7%—from 13.35 to 18.79 lei per cubic meter excluding VAT (from 14.42 to 20.29 lei including 8% VAT). ANRE invites all interested parties, including representatives of civil society, experts, and specialists in this field, to review the draft document and submit specific proposals, comments, and recommendations within 10 working days of its publication. The public consultation process aims to ensure an open dialogue with all interested parties and collect relevant opinions for an objective review of the draft. ANRE promises to analyze all proposals received in accordance with the legal framework and the supporting elements presented in the published documents. At the same time, ANRE emphasizes the importance of providing complete and reliable information on the process of approving regulated prices and calls on participants in the public debate to use published official data and formulate positions based on relevant arguments and analyses, avoiding interpretations taken out of context. It should be noted that Energocom previously submitted a request to ANRE and proposed increasing the gas tariff for residential consumers by 45.2% - from 13.35 to 19.38 lei per 1 cubic meter excluding VAT (from 14.42 to 20.93 lei including VAT). Energocom noted that the request was due to a significant change in the cost of purchasing natural gas, caused by external factors and beyond the control of the supplier. Geopolitical events in the Middle East and increased security tensions at the regional level have impacted European natural gas markets, determining an increase in trade quotations and price volatility. These events have directly affected the supplier's procurement costs. When approving the current regulated prices, the average weighted purchase price of natural gas amounting to EUR 404.24 per 1,000 cubic meters for 2026 was taken into account. Subsequently, market conditions changed significantly, so that for the period from January to July 2026, the average purchase price reached approximately EUR 423.28 per 1,000 cubic meters, while for the period from August to December 2026, it is estimated at approximately EUR 623.54 per 1,000 cubic meters. It is noted that for the period from January to July 2026, the costs required to provide the regulated service exceeded the revenues that could be obtained based on the current prices, which resulted in a tariff deficit estimated at approximately MDL 106.8 million. For the period from August to December 2026, the proposed adjustment is aimed exclusively at covering the justified and necessary costs associated with the provision of public natural gas supply services and preventing the accumulation of additional tariff deviations. Should international prices decrease and conditions for tariff reductions arise, the company will request ANRE to revise the regulated prices in accordance with the legal framework and the current methodology. It should be noted that the natural gas tariff for residential consumers was last adjusted in early February 2026, and, effective February 4, the natural gas tariff for residential consumers was reduced by 13.9% - from 15.5 to 13.35 lei per 1 cubic meter excluding VAT (from 16.74 lei to 14.42 lei including VAT). // 22.07.2026 – InfoMarket.
