The Government today approved a package of measures aimed at strengthening the security of natural gas supply for consumers on both banks of the Dniester by increasing security stocks for the right bank and introducing an obligation to establish gas stocks for consumers in the Transnistrian region.

In this regard, the Cabinet of Ministers endorsed amendments to 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 establish and maintain natural gas stocks equivalent to at least 15% of the average annual consumption of final consumers in the region, calculated based on consumption recorded over the previous five years.

Importantly, only gas consumption intended to meet the own needs of consumers in the Transnistrian region will be taken into account when calculating this volume. Gas consumption used for electricity generation supplied outside the region will not be included.

At the same time, the new legislative amendments will allow the gas storage obligation for the Transnistrian region to be delegated to licensed natural gas traders or suppliers from the Republic of Moldova, EU Member States or other Energy Community Contracting Parties.

Recently, the National Agency for Energy Regulation extended until 31 December 2026 the designation of S.A. “Moldovagaz” as the entity responsible for supplying natural gas to the Transnistrian region, in order to ensure continuity of supply and strengthen energy security in the region.

The Government also approved today an increase in natural gas security stocks for the right bank of the Republic of Moldova. The mandatory minimum volume will increase by almost 6.5 million cubic metres, from 50 million cubic metres to 56.3 million cubic metres for the 2026–2027 cold season.

The increase is driven by the higher actual consumption recorded during the winter of 2025–2026, with the new volume established in accordance with Law No. 108/2016 on Natural Gas. Under the law, security stocks must be established in a volume equivalent to at least 10 days of natural gas consumption, with one day of consumption corresponding to the average daily consumption recorded during the previous calendar winter period. The new volume is to be established by S.A. “Energocom” by 1 October 2026.

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

Security stocks are separate from commercial stocks and may only be used in exceptional situations, upon a decision by the competent authorities. During the 2025–2026 cold season, commercial stocks were used to cover peak demand, without the need to use the security reserves.