The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) has provided explanations for initiating the urgent adjustment of natural gas prices. Key reasons include the significant rise in natural gas procurement costs on international markets and the need to ensure the supplier’s viability while avoiding financial risks, IPN reports.
ANRE stated that the urgent adjustment process was initiated following a request from Moldovagaz and in accordance with its "legal obligation to balance consumer interests with the financial sustainability of the supplier".
According to ANRE, in November 2024, international markets experienced a substantial increase in natural gas prices, with TTF indices rising by over 25%. Additionally, Moldovagaz completed its procurement process for 2024, setting an average annual purchase price significantly higher than that included in current regulated tariffs. This disparity necessitates a price adjustment to reflect actual costs.
"Delaying price adjustments would result in substantial financial losses for the public service provider, potentially impairing its ability to meet contractual obligations. During critical winter months, this risk could jeopardize the security of natural gas supplies. Furthermore, the accumulation of a significant tariff deficit would have a long-term impact on consumers, as these financial deviations would need to be recovered in subsequent regulatory periods," ANRE stated in its press release.
Moldovagaz has requested ANRE to increase natural gas tariffs by nearly 40%, or 4 lei per cubic meter, starting December 1. The request was initially scheduled for review today, but ANRE postponed the meeting until Friday.
Commentator Veaceslav Ionita noted that ANRE is violating legal deadlines required for tariff adjustments. The agency must allow at least 15 working days for public consultations, followed by sufficient time to analyze all received feedback. While the law does not specify a precise timeframe, in practice, at least 5–10 working days are necessary for this step. After the analysis, ANRE must announce the public meeting for tariff review at least 5 working days in advance. This period is crucial to allow stakeholders to prepare additional arguments.
Ionita urged civil society and the media to monitor the process closely and flag any irregularities. If the meeting occurs before the legal deadline, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office should investigate the situation to determine if the law was violated. Citizens must demand transparency and adherence to legal procedures. Decisions affecting millions of people cannot be made in an opaque and abusive manner, said the commentator, who also claimed, "ANRE, in an illegal session, intends to add 2 billion lei to the natural gas tariff."
