Electricity tariffs in the Republic of Moldova could increase by up to 15% amid rising energy prices on foreign markets and higher production costs at combined heat and power plants. The estimate was provided by Alexei Taran, director of the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE), during a programme on N4.
According to him, the cost of electricity is influenced by three main components: energy imports, electricity generated by combined heat and power plants, and domestic production, largely from renewable sources.
“Indeed, the increase will not be similar to the increases for natural gas or thermal energy. Why? Because, as I said, the three components offset one another. However, the estimate would be something in the range of up to 15%,” Taran pointed out.
Alexei Taran explained that external prices have risen amid a hydrological drought in Europe, which has affected river levels and led to production restrictions at some hydroelectric and nuclear power plants. Under these conditions, some generation capacity has been replaced by natural gas-fired sources, contributing to higher prices.
At the same time, rising natural gas prices directly affect the production costs of combined heat and power plants in the Republic of Moldova, which also generate electricity.
The ANRE director noted that suppliers Premier Energy and FEE Nord cannot yet submit requests to adjust tariffs because the regulated price for electricity purchased from the central supplier, Energocom, still needs to be approved. Once all cost components have been clarified, the suppliers will be able to calculate their tariffs and submit applications to ANRE.