Moldovan government strengthens natural gas stocks for consumers on both banks of Dniester

The government today approved a package of measures that strengthens the security of natural gas supply for consumers on both banks of the Dniester River, by increasing security stocks for the right bank and introducing an obligation to create stocks for consumers of the Transnistrian region.

In this regard, the cabinet of ministers issued a favorable opinion on the amendment of the Law on Natural gas. The new provisions establish that the entity responsible for supplying natural gas to consumers in the Transnistrian region will be required to create and maintain natural gas stocks equivalent to at least 15 per cent of the average annual consumption of end consumers from the region, calculated based on the consumption recorded over the last five years.

It is also important that, when calculating this volume, only the consumption intended for the own needs of consumers of the Transnistrian region will be taken into account. The gas consumption used for the production of electricity delivered outside the region will not be included.

At the same time, the new legislative amendments will allow the storage obligation for the Transnistrian region to be delegated to licensed gas traders or suppliers of Moldova, from EU member states, or from other Energy Community states.

The National Energy Regulatory Agency has recently extended until December 31, 2026 the designation of JSC Moldovagaz as the entity responsible for supplying natural gas to the Transnistrian region, in order to ensure continuity of deliveries and to strengthen energy security in the region.

Additionally, the government today approved the increase in natural gas security stocks for the right bank of Moldova. The minimum mandatory volume will increase by almost 6.5 million m³, from 50 million m³ to 56.3 million m³ for the 2026–2027 cold season.

The increase is driven by the higher actual consumption recorded in the winter of 2025–2026, with the new volume set in accordance with Law No. 108/2016 on Natural Gas. Under the law, security stocks are formed in a quantity equal to the natural gas consumption for at least 10 days, one day of consumption being equivalent to the average daily consumption for the previous calendar winter period. The new volume is to be created by JSC Energocom by October 1, 2026.

It should be noted that Moldova does not have its own natural gas storage capacities, and strategic reserves are kept in storage facilities of Romania, Ukraine and other states of the European Union and the Energy Community. These stocks represent a safety reserve equivalent to approximately 10 days of consumption on the winter period.

Security stocks are different from commercial stocks and can be used only in exceptional situations, by decision of the competent authorities. In the 2025–2026 cold season, commercial stocks were used to cover consumption peaks, without the need to use security reserves.