Households in central and southern Moldova powered by the energy supplier Premier Energy will pay 4.77 lei/kWh, as compared to 3.15 lei/kWh at present (+51.4%); and in the north, households powered by Furnizarea Energiei Electrice Nord will pay 4.81 lei/kWh, as compared to the current 3.21 lei/kWh (+49.8%). The hikes were approved on Friday evening by the Energy Regulatory Agency ANRE.
The updated Premier Energy tariffs, depending on the location of the node in the grid and on voltage, are as follows:
- 4.13 lei/kWh for electricity supplied to the point of entry into the transmission network;
- 4.28 lei/kWh for electricity supplied to the point of exit from the transmission network;
- 4.30 lei/kWh for end consumers connected to high-voltage lines (35–110 kV);
- 4.43 lei/kWh for end consumers connected to medium-voltage lines (6–10 kV);
- 4.77 lei/kWh for end consumers connected to low-voltage lines (0.4 kV).
For Furnizarea Energiei Electrice Nord, the updated rates are as follows:
- 3.87 lei/kWh for electricity supplied to the point of entry into the transmission network;
- 4.01 lei/kWh for electricity supplied to the point of exit from the transmission network;
- 4.20 lei/kWh for end consumers connected to medium-voltage lines (6-10 kV);
- 4.81lei/kWh for end consumers connected to the low-voltage grid (0.4 kV).
The new rates are taking effect on November 4 with their publishing in the Official Gazette.
The Agency said the increase in tariffs was a consequence of Ukraine having to terminate its supply agreements after Russia damaged about 50% of its energy infrastructure over the course of October. Another reason named by the ANRE is the decision by the Kuchurgan Power Plant on the left bank of the Nistru to stop supplies to the right bank starting on November 1. This means that now Moldova has to source about 80% of its electricity needs on the European markets, where prices are much higher.
This is the fourth tariff increase this year.
