Moldovans currently pay 16.74 lei per cubic meter of natural gas, but many experts argue that the price could be significantly lower. Jurist Alexandru Grosu recently claimed that gas should cost 9.1 lei per cubic meter, criticizing what he called an unjustified difference of 7.64 lei. However, the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) clarified that the actual difference amounts to 5.37 lei per cubic meter, which includes all system services — transportation, distribution, and supply.
“The purchase price reflects the annual weighted average. It’s incorrect to compare it with the spot price, which applies only to a specific day or month. In summer, gas is purchased at lower prices, but the annual mix also includes higher winter costs,” explained Alexei Taran, ANRE’s general director, in an interview with nordinfo.md.
Moldova currently buys gas from European markets, mainly Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece, through intermediaries (traders). These traders organize auctions on specialized platforms to secure the most advantageous price, whether the gas comes directly from a producer or another trader.
“Traders often offer better prices than producers, because they can purchase smaller quantities and optimize costs,” Taran added.
Regarding the idea of buying all gas during the summer, when prices are lower, the ANRE explained that technical and logistical constraints make this impossible. The country needs around 800 million cubic meters of gas annually, which cannot be stored quickly. In addition, the transportation system must remain balanced, and storage and delivery costs during winter can exceed 10–15 euros per megawatt-hour.
As for Russian gas, ANRE confirmed that direct deliveries from Gazprom are no longer possible. “Since January 2025, deliveries to the right bank of the Dniester have been suspended. The traditional routes through Ukraine are blocked, and the Southern Corridor is congested, unable to accommodate extra volumes. Therefore, any discussion about preferential prices from Gazprom has no physical or economic basis,” concluded Alexei Taran.