Minister of Energy warns gas stations selling no diesel from stock face penalties
Gas stations that have diesel fuel in stock but refuse to sell it may face sanctions from the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE). Additionally, the Competition Council will investigate any anti-competitive agreements or practices in the wholesale market. This statement was made by Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu in response to reports that some gas stations have stopped displaying diesel prices or claim they do not have the product available.
The Minister of Energy says that the authorities are monitoring the situation on the fuel market, following the increase in international prices, which has generated unrest among consumers and even panic buying at some gas stations.
According to him, the situation differs from one company to another. Some gas stations continue to sell fuel and display prices, while others claim they no longer have diesel or do not display prices at the pump.
"There are gas stations in the country that continue to supply and we are talking about large importers, large oil companies. But there are companies that either do not have stocks, or do not intend to sell. (..) So, the situation varies by company. That is why ANRE monitors stocks daily and checks in detail if a company or gas station has stocks but does not want to sell them, the respective companies will be penalized," the minister said during a TVR Moldova show.
The official explained that the authorities' powers vary by market segment. In the case of gas stations, where the market is regulated, ANRE can intervene if it is found that operators have fuel in stock, but refuse to sell it. In contrast, on the wholesale market – where fuel is sold directly between companies or to large consumers – economic operators can decide whether and when to sell the product. In these cases, any abuses or agreements between companies must be analyzed by the Competition Council.
"On the wholesale side, the Competition Council must verify and apply sanctions. It is regrettable that certain companies or certain importers potentially resort to such speculative practices. Therefore, the Competition Council must verify and report on this situation," Dorin Junghietu stated.
The Republic of Moldova continues to import fuel, Junghietu assures, and Customs Service data even show an increase in the volumes of diesel and gasoline entering the country in recent days.
We note that in the last two weeks, fuel prices in the Republic of Moldova have increased amid rising oil prices on international markets, driven by the conflict in the Middle East and the volatility of global quotations.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Energy, gasoline reserves can cover approximately 22 days of consumption, and diesel reserves can cover approximately 12 days of consumption.
