Mechanism of setting prices for fuels to be changed in Moldova during emergency state period

The mechanism of setting prices for fuels will be changed on period of the  emergency state. Thus, when establishing tariffs, the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) will take into account the average of international quotations for a period of seven days, instead of 14 days, as it is at present. This provision is included in a draft approved at today's extraordinary government meeting, which established new measures for the period of the state of emergency.

At the cabinet meeting, Director of the National Crisis Management Center Serghei Diaconu said that the changes would be applied only for the duration of the state of emergency. According to him, the measure is necessary, in order to provide greater stability for prices at the pump.

“During the emergency state, ANRE will use a calculation methodology based on an average not of 14 days, but of 7 days for international quotations and the exchange rate, which will provide greater stability for prices at the pump. At the same time, this will mean that, when prices on the international exchange start to fall, we will return more quickly to normal prices for citizens,” Serghei Diaconu noted.

At the same time, the approved decision will allow filling stations to sell other types of diesel at the standard diesel price, if the latter is temporarily unavailable at the pump.

“In order not to leave citizens without fuel, we allow filling stations to sell other types of diesel at the standard diesel price, if the latter is temporarily unavailable at the pump. If the station shows that there is no standard-type diesel and tries to sell more expensive diesel, it will have to sell it at the standard diesel price,” said Serghei Diaconu.

At the same time, ANRE will require oil products’ importers to present a realistic five-day procurement plan and will request that economic agents do not import less for April than they imported for March. “This is important, in order to be able to replenish our fuel stocks,” Diaconu noted.

Additionally, the authorities have ruled to allow the use of Lukoil’s existing sources to replenish fuel stocks, especially for diesel.

“For the moment, some of the stations of the Lukoil company, which has the most stations in the country, are closed. We want citizens to have access to the pump where it is most convenient, and for this reason, exclusively for the purchase of oil products on the local market and their sale in the national network of stations, we allow the use of Lukoil’s existing sources only to replenish fuel stocks, especially diesel, at all the stations it owns,” said the CNMC director.

Likewise, a proposed amendment aims to ensure that the service procedures for personnel in the public order and state security sectors are not affected by the state of emergency in the energy sector.

“Normally, in the event of a state of emergency, this personnel is not allowed to submit resignation reports or retirement requests. We do not want to restrict this right, it is not the type of security segment that would require their permanent presence,” said Serghei Diaconu.

The CNMC director said that the measures were proposed, in order to respond in real time to operational challenges, prevent possible bottlenecks and ensure the uninterrupted work of the energy market.

“In a context of dynamic crisis, the initial measures need continuous additions, in order to respond in real time to operational challenges, prevent possible bottlenecks and ensure the uninterrupted work of the energy market, while at the same time offering predictability and confidence both to suppliers and real consumers. (...) The proposed measures do not reflect a worsening of the situation but, on the contrary, represent a responsible and controlled adaptation of state intervention, as we gain a clearer picture of developments and on-the-ground needs. We are de-bureaucratizing processes, acting preventively, in stages and proportionally, in order to maintain the functionality of vital services for citizens and to avoid major risks, including uncontrolled disconnections,” argued the CNMC director.

The parliament of Moldova has established a nationwide state of emergency for a period of 60 days, starting from March 25, 2026, after the main power line supplying Moldova – the Vulcanesti–Isaccea line – had been disconnected following Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure.