Large enterprises in the Republic of Moldova will be able to conclude natural gas procurement contracts with universal suppliers, at regulated tariffs, only until the end of this year. Starting next year, they will be able to conclude new natural gas procurement contracts only on the free market at negotiated prices or through a trading platform.

In this context, the list of large enterprises, with the obligation to switch to the free market if they do not have a contract in force with a universal service provider, has been published on the website of the Ministry of Energy.

We note that, until 01.01.2025, a deadline valid for large enterprises, and until 01.01.2027, in the case of medium-sized enterprises, they have the right to request the signing of natural gas supply contracts, under regulated conditions, with suppliers that ensure the delivery of natural gas to certain categories of end consumers in the context of the public service obligation.

The measures in question are intended to support the development and liquidity of the natural gas market, the consolidation of the energy sector and the alignment of energy legislation with European Union standards, favoring the establishment of efficient prices for energy resources.

In this context, we recall that the Operator of the Natural Gas Trading Platform is the company BRM EST, a subdivision of the Romanian Commodity Exchange. The Exchange offers the possibility for end consumers to purchase natural gas on the Natural Gas Ring within the Bilateral Contracts Market (OTC), and any details in this regard can be identified at: brmeastenergy.md.

It is also important that household consumers and public institutions have the discretionary right to choose between the free market and the regulated market, the state ensuring the existence of universal service providers and providers of last resort, to secure gas supplies to household consumers and small businesses.

The enterprise SA "Moldovagaz", responsible for ensuring the supply of natural gas to household consumers, began purchasing natural gas on the stock exchange in May of this year.