Moldova’s National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) has approved a new natural gas tariff for household consumers, raising the price from 20.30 lei to 26.14 lei per cubic metre, including VAT.
The increase amounts to 5.84 lei per cubic metre, or approximately 29%, compared with the tariff currently in force.
The decision was approved during ANRE’s public meeting on September 28. The regulator had previously published the draft tariff based on a request submitted by state-owned gas supplier Energocom.
Energocom requested the tariff adjustment citing higher natural gas procurement costs on international and European markets. The company submitted its request to ANRE on September 23.
The new tariff comes less than a month after the previous increase. On September 1, the household gas tariff rose from 14.42 lei to 20.30 lei per cubic metre, an increase of more than 40%.
As a result, the price of natural gas for households has risen from 14.42 lei to 26.14 lei per cubic metre in less than a month, representing a cumulative increase of approximately 81%.
ANRE’s September 28 meeting also included decisions on tariffs for district heating supplied by Termoelectrica, CET-Nord and other heating providers.
The latest gas price increase comes amid growing political criticism and protests over rising energy costs. Several opposition and political groups had announced demonstrations outside ANRE ahead of the regulator’s decision.
The government has previously said that citizens have the right to protest, while arguing that energy price increases are linked to developments on international markets.
The new gas tariff is expected to apply to household consumers beginning with the new regulatory period established by ANRE.