Moldovan households can switch gas suppliers
Households in Moldova can switch natural gas suppliers voluntarily, compare offers online and return to regulated supply if their chosen provider stops operating, without interrupting deliveries.
Consumers can negotiate gas prices and contract terms
Household consumers can negotiate the terms under which they purchase natural gas, including prices, contract duration and payment arrangements. However, switching suppliers is not mandatory, Constantin Borosan, a member of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) Board of Directors, said on the Energy Agenda programme.
“Household consumers are under no obligation to switch to the competitive market. They have the right to do so whenever they identify a competitive offer and can compare the available options,” Borosan said.
To help consumers make informed decisions, ANRE has launched an online comparison tool at comparator.anre.md. Users can enter their natural gas consumption and compare estimated costs across different suppliers.
Those who do not know their exact consumption can use the average household figure provided by the platform. At the time the programme was recorded, eight offers from five or six suppliers were available, according to Borosan.
Some suppliers offer prices below the regulated tariff for shorter contract periods. Others charge more but guarantee a fixed price for 12 months.
“Some suppliers offer lower prices for shorter contract periods, while others charge more but guarantee a fixed price for 12 months. Consumers can enter their actual consumption or use the average household figure already available on the platform and compare how much they could save by switching to a supplier on the competitive market,” the ANRE representative said.
Switching suppliers does not require technical changes
Consumers do not need to replace gas pipes or meters when signing a contract with another supplier. Switching providers does not interrupt gas deliveries.
Authorities have also established safeguards for situations in which a supplier encounters financial difficulties or can no longer secure the necessary gas volumes.
If a company ceases operations, another supplier is designated to temporarily take over its customers for a period of up to four months. During this time, consumers must choose a new supplier or return to the regulated supply arrangement.
“This arrangement is limited to a period of up to four months. During this time, consumers must identify another supplier or decide to return to the regulated supplier. Household consumers have the option of returning to regulated supply,” Borosan said.
Only 132 households have switched to the competitive market
So far, relatively few households have chosen to switch suppliers. According to ANRE data for the first half of 2026, 132 household consumers had moved to the competitive natural gas market.
They accounted for part of the 407 consumers who had switched to negotiated-price contracts. The total also included 193 large, 57 medium-sized and 25 small non-household consumers.
The Republic of Moldova has approximately 830,000 natural gas consumers, according to figures cited in documentation submitted by state-owned supplier Energocom to ANRE.
The liberalisation of the natural gas market is being implemented gradually. Since April 1, 2026, large non-household consumers, including companies and institutions, have been required to secure their gas supplies through the competitive market.
From April 1, 2027, the same requirement will apply to approximately 800 medium-sized non-household consumers. For households, switching suppliers remains voluntary.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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