The NAER Threatens to Revoke Moldovagaz License Without Reform Progress

On April 8, 2025, the Board of Directors of the National Agency for Energy Regulation (NAER) adopted a decision to modify the certification of the gas transmission system operator SRL “Vestmoldtransgaz.” Through this decision, the regulatory authority adjusted the deadline for implementing European requirements to match the conditions of Moldova’s natural gas market.

This change follows Moldova’s commitments to the European Union, based on the joint strategy signed on February 4, 2025, concerning energy independence and resilience. This strategy aims to eliminate Moldova’s reliance on natural gas from the Russian Federation and accelerate integration into the European energy market.

Acting as the guarantor of balance between the legal framework and the public interest, the NAER conducted a detailed analysis of energy security risks, especially concerning the supply of consumers in the Transnistrian region. The NAER made this decision after extensive consultations with the Ministry of Energy, the Energy Community Secretariat, and other stakeholders in the energy sector.

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One of the NAER’s key decisions states that if SA “Moldovagaz” does not complete the legal and functional unbundling of its activities under the Natural Gas Law by July 31, 2025, the authority will revoke its gas supply license and appoint another licensed supplier to ensure delivery at regulated prices.

To this end, the NAER will launch competitive procedures to select alternative suppliers starting in the second quarter of this year.

Background to the NAER’s decision:

• Through Decision No. 513 of August 23, 2024, NAER provisionally certified SRL “Vestmoldtransgaz” on the condition that SA “Moldovagaz” and SRL “Moldovatransgaz” separate their transmission activities.
• Meanwhile, the Russian company Gazprom unilaterally halted gas deliveries to Moldova.
• The Ministry of Energy had to reassess the security conditions for supplying the Transnistrian region, which also influenced the updated deadlines for Vestmoldtransgaz.