---
title: "Chisinau aims to join the EU's procurement mechanism for cheaper gas and fund citizen compensation"
url: https://moldova1.md/p/88922/chisinau-aims-to-join-the-eu-s-procurement-mechanism-for-cheaper-gas-and-fund-citizen-compensation
published: 2026-10-29T15:37:00Z
language: en
author: "Bogdan Nigai"
section: "Economic"
source: moldova1.md
---

# Chisinau aims to join the EU's procurement mechanism for cheaper gas and fund citizen compensation

> The Republic of Moldova seeks to join European mechanisms for the joint procurement of natural gas, which would allow it to purchase fuel at more favorable prices. Authorities in Chișinău state that, although the country has secured the necessary stocks for the current cold season, procurement costs remain high. This issue was addressed by the Minister of Energy, Dorin Junghietu, at a meeting of European Union energy ministers held on October 29 in Luxembourg.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/fe0c904a-ddc5-4513-90df-d0f52e9a3e46.jpg)

The Republic of Moldova seeks to join European mechanisms for the joint procurement of natural gas, which would allow it to purchase fuel at more favorable prices. Authorities in Chișinău state that, although the country has secured the necessary stocks for the current cold season, procurement costs remain high. This issue was addressed by the Minister of Energy, Dorin Junghietu, at a meeting of European Union energy ministers held on October 29 in Luxembourg.

Through this mechanism, the Republic of Moldova will be able to purchase natural gas jointly with other European countries, benefiting from the advantages of negotiating for larger volumes. According to the Ministry of Energy, this could help reduce procurement costs, though it does not automatically guarantee lower gas prices for end consumers.

Authorities in Chisinau are also seeking additional financial support from European partners for the 2026–2027 cold season. The funds are intended primarily to assist vulnerable households affected by high energy costs. This request was put forward by Dorin Junghietu during a meeting of the EU’s Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council.

"The Government is making every effort to protect vulnerable households during the cold season, amidst rising energy prices driven by international crises. We are also calling on our European partners to identify avenues for additional financial assistance to help us address the needs of the most vulnerable consumers," stated the Minister of Energy.

Dorin Junghietu warned that Russia is leveraging rising energy prices to promote a return to Russian gas, framing it as a cheap and secure alternative. Nevertheless, the Republic of Moldova remains committed to continuing its reforms and its integration into the European energy market. "For Moldova, it is vital to accelerate the coupling of electricity markets, the development of interconnections, and the reforms necessary for accession to the European Union. Our citizens have remained committed to the European path, despite energy crises and Russian interference, and we are determined to continue along this road", the minister stated in Luxembourg.

**European emergency funds for attacks or infrastructure failures**

The Republic of Moldova also requires faster access to European equipment and funds to repair energy infrastructure in the event of failures or attacks. The need for such mechanisms was raised in light of drones flying through the country’s airspace and Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the year, the Republic of Moldova’s energy system has been affected by two major incidents. First, ice accumulation damaged a power line, causing partial power interruptions that lasted about five hours. The second incident was caused by a Russian drone attack on energy infrastructure in Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Energy, cooperation with electricity transmission system operators in Romania and Ukraine helped prevent large-scale blackouts in both cases.

European ministers meeting in Luxembourg expressed support for accelerating the integration of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine into the European energy market—a process that includes building new energy interconnections and coupling electricity markets. Discussions also focused on preparations for the 2026–2027 winter season and measures to protect consumers, the Ministry of Energy stated.

The Republic of Moldova is facing further increases in energy costs, driven by rising procurement prices on international markets. Natural gas prices have risen several times this year; as of October 1, household consumers are paying 26.14 lei per cubic meter (VAT included). At the beginning of the year, the price was 16.74 lei.

Meanwhile, there is also upward pressure on electricity tariffs, with discussions underway regarding further increases.

To reduce costs, the authorities are seeking to secure more favorable suppliers and contracts. On October 29, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan announced that Energocom had contracted its first two million cubic meters of gas from private suppliers in Ukraine, at a price approximately 10 EUR/MWh lower than the European market benchmark.

The authorities intend to increase the volumes purchased from the neighboring country and are also in talks with suppliers from Azerbaijan, Qatar, and Turkmenistan.