Strategic natural gas stocks for 2025-2026 cold season almost fully established

Retail natural gas suppliers have established the mandatory strategic stocks for the 2025-2026 cold season, in accordance with the new provisions of the Natural Gas Law. The measure aims to prevent potential sudden price increases and ensure the safe functioning of the market.

According to the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), suppliers are required to establish stocks equivalent to at least 15% of the average annual consumption of final consumers over the past five years. By ANRE Decision No. 426/2025, the necessary volume of gas to be stored by November 1, 2025, has been set at a total of 145,374.7 thousand cubic meters or 1,534,873.5 MWh, along with the list of responsible suppliers.

ANRE found the obligations to be 99.96% fulfilled. Nine natural gas suppliers, along with the entity supplying the Transnistrian region, reported full compliance with the requirements. For the Transnistrian region, 57,102 thousand cubic meters of stocks have been established, equivalent to 602,889 MWh.

As of November 20, 2025, only one supplier had not fully met its obligations, and ANRE has initiated procedures provided by the legal framework.

The institution reminds that in the Republic of Moldova there are two categories of natural gas stocks. Strategic stocks, 15% of the average annual consumption, are intended for use during the cold period. Security stocks, approved by Government Decision No. 668/2022, represent the equivalent of 10 days of consumption in the winter season, totaling 50,000 thousand cubic meters. These have already been fully established and can only be used in emergency situations.

ANRE indicates it will continue to monitor storage compliance to ensure a safe and predictable natural gas market.