Moldova energy shift: New supplier replaces Moldovagaz
SA "Moldovagaz," a subsidiary of the Russian energy giant "Gazprom," could lose its license to supply natural gas.
The National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) states that "Moldovagaz" failed to meet the conditions imposed this April regarding the unbundling of its gas production, transmission, and distribution activities by the July 31 deadline. According to the company's CEO, Vadim Ceban, "Moldovagaz" currently remains the owner of the gas transmission network.
A decision on revoking SA "Moldovagaz's" 2018 license for natural gas supply will be made on Monday, August 4, during an ANRE-convened meeting.
The meeting's agenda also includes the revocation of SA "Moldovagaz's" public service obligations, confirming that ANRE's decision to impose new public service obligations on the supplier "Energocom" has come into force, and completing the operational transfer of duties to the new public service supplier by September 1, without affecting consumers.
ANRE announced that SA "Moldovagaz" was required to notify the institution by July 31 about the completion of the functional, decisional, and legal separation of its activities from other sector activities, which did not happen. Consequently, ANRE is entitled to withdraw the license issued to SA "Moldovagaz" for natural gas supply, effective August 1.
"ANRE is set to confirm that the conditions have been met for Decision No. 248/2025 to come into force concerning the imposition of public service obligations. Through this decision, SA 'Energocom' has been designated as the public service obligation supplier for certain categories of end consumers, ensuring the supply of natural gas at specified quality parameters, at prices that are regulated, transparent, non-discriminatory, and easily comparable, as well as acting as a supplier of last resort, replacing SA 'Moldovagaz,'" the National Agency for Energy Regulation reported.
In a statement to Teleradio-Moldova, the CEO of SA "Moldovagaz," Vadim Ceban, stated that the company will most likely no longer be a gas supplier but will provide services to "Energocom" related to billing and customer service.
"The Third Energy Package has not been fully implemented. The issue is that we still remain the owner of the gas transmission network. This activity cannot be combined with supply. A transition period will follow. Most likely, based on ANRE's decision, 'Energocom' will be the supplier going forward, but 'Moldovagaz' will provide services to 'Energocom' related to billing and customer service," Vadim Ceban said.
It is worth recalling that this April, ANRE mandated "Moldovagaz" to complete the unbundling of its transmission and supply activities by July 31, 2025, one year and two months earlier than the original deadline of September 30, 2026.
The measure was approved as part of the implementation of the Third Energy Package, which requires the separation of natural gas production, transmission, and distribution activities.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
