Electricity tariffs in Moldova could increase by nearly 30% after suppliers requested price adjustments. The National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) is expected to make a decision after reviewing the applications and comparing the costs submitted by companies with current market prices. Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu made the statements during an interview on TV8.
According to the minister, ANRE has approximately 35–45 days to examine the requests and make a decision. The new tariffs could therefore be approved in the coming period, although Junghietu said he does not yet know the exact date.
The official explained that the suppliers’ requests are not driven by higher distribution or transmission costs, but by a significant increase in electricity prices on the regional market.
“In August, when the effects of the hydrological drought became even more pronounced, nuclear power plants in the region were shut down, as were hydroelectric power plants. Hydropower and nuclear energy are, in fact, among the cheapest sources. Let me give you a figure: the cost of nuclear fuel needed to produce one megawatt of electricity is approximately 8 euros. That is why hydropower and nuclear energy are the cheapest,” Junghietu said.
The minister also noted that, with the arrival of autumn and the decline in electricity production from renewable sources, particularly solar and wind, the need to use natural gas for power generation increased. Gas is more expensive, contributing to higher electricity procurement prices in August, September and October.
On November 3, Premier Energy asked ANRE to approve an increase in electricity tariffs. The supplier proposed a rate of 4.64 lei per kWh for household consumers, compared with the current 3.56 lei. If approved, the proposed tariff would mean an increase of 1.08 lei per kWh, or approximately 30.3%.
On November 11, FEE-Nord also requested a tariff increase for consumers connected to low-voltage networks, proposing a rise from 3.95 lei to 5.17 lei per kWh, representing an increase of 30.9%.