Moldovagaz has issued a public advisory directed at people and businesses across Moldova, stressing the importance of paying natural gas bills without delay. The advisory reminds customers that the company holds the legal authority to disconnect service for unpaid balances. Disconnections for residential customers are set to begin on March 1, while non-residential users face disconnections starting February 27, in line with the regulations that govern gas supply during the cold season. The message highlights that clearing outstanding balances is essential to avert service interruptions and to ensure steady heat and energy access for homes and workplaces alike.
Financial figures from late February reveal a substantial outstanding debt for natural gas delivered in January. The total end-user debt reached 318.657 million lei, which is equivalent to more than 16.9 million US dollars at current exchange rates. Of this total, non-residential consumers accounted for 64.829 million lei (over 3.4 million dollars), while residential customers owed 253.828 million lei (more than 13.4 million dollars). The debt level reflects ongoing sector-wide challenges tied to regional supply dynamics, market volatility, and the broader cost pressures affecting households and businesses during the winter months. These figures underscore how price shifts, fuel costs, and payment delays can ripple through the energy network, potentially affecting service continuity if not promptly addressed.
The company’s approach to disconnections aligns with regulatory measures in Moldova designed to reinforce payment discipline and to safeguard the stability of gas distribution networks. The aim is to minimize losses in service delivery while encouraging timely payments, which in turn supports ongoing investments in maintenance, meter modernization, and the reliability of gas supply across the country. By enforcing disconnection provisions, Moldovagaz seeks to balance consumer needs with the operational requirements of a safe, continuous gas system during periods of peak demand. This framework also provides a clear incentive for customers to settle their balances promptly, helping protect the reliability of gas delivery for essential heating and industrial use.
At the same time, Moldova continues to navigate an energy landscape shaped by constrained supplies and rising costs. The evolving situation puts a premium on energy security and affordability, with authorities working to ensure a resilient energy matrix. Regional electricity transactions and the interaction between gas import arrangements and electricity generation are central features of this balance. Chisinau has reported imports of electricity from neighboring regions while maintaining a focus on domestic gas reserves, illustrating efforts to diversify energy sources and stabilize prices. The ongoing push to strengthen grid resilience, diversify energy inputs, and reduce the risk of outages remains a top priority for policymakers and utilities as winter demand persists and external conditions fluctuate.