The planned increase in natural gas tariffs could also result in higher district heating prices, according to Energocom’s acting CEO, Eugeniu Buzatu.
Asked in an interview with NewsMaker whether the proposed gas tariff increase would affect centralized heating bills, Buzatu replied: “I believe it will.”
According to him, since April 1, 2026, large consumers have no longer been eligible for regulated gas tariffs and are required to purchase natural gas on the free market.
“Large consumers are no longer covered by the regulated tariff. They buy gas on the free market. Under current market conditions, free-market prices have long exceeded the regulated tariff of 13.35 lei because they move in line with TTF gas price quotations,” Buzatu explained.
He noted that Energocom itself does not supply gas directly to district heating producers. Instead, its subsidiary, Energocom Trading, participates in competitive tenders organized by heat producers, BANI.MD reported.
According to Buzatu, the company supplied gas to Termoelectrica in April, but not in May, June or July. Deliveries are expected to resume in August and most likely continue in October and November.
“They organize tenders, and whoever wins supplies the gas,” the acting CEO said, emphasizing that purchases are made through competitive procurement procedures.
On July 15, Energocom asked the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) to approve a 45.2% increase in household gas tariffs, raising the price to 20.93 lei per cubic meter. ANRE later proposed a slightly lower tariff of 20.30 lei per cubic meter.
Earlier this year, on February 12, 2026, district heating tariffs for customers served by Termoelectrica in Chisinau were reduced by 19.5%, from 2,510 lei/Gcal to 2,020 lei/Gcal.