Moldova has approved significant hikes in electricity tariffs, with rates nearly doubling for consumers in some regions. On January 3, the National Energy Regulatory Agency reviewed tariff revision requests from Premier Energy and FEE Nord companies, approving the new rates.
Premier Energy consumers will face a tariff of 4.1 lei per kilowatt-hour (0.21 euros), a 75% increase from the current rate, though slightly lower than the company’s original request. Meanwhile, FEE Nord customers will see their tariff rise by 65%, reaching 4.68 lei per kilowatt-hour. These new tariffs will take effect once the decision is published.
This move comes as Moldova grapples with a state of emergency in its energy sector. The emergency was triggered by the expected cessation of Russian gas supplies to Transnistria, which powered the plant supplying electricity to both banks of the Dniester River.
The right bank, which received most of its electricity from this plant, will now face challenges in meeting demand, potentially leading to power shortages and rolling blackouts, as the country cannot yet compensate for these losses through alternative power generation or imports.
