CHISINAU, Jan 28 (Reuters) – Moldova on Friday approved a 34% gas price hike for households to allow it to keep up with payments to its dominant supplier, Russia’s Gazprom, which has threatened to cut supplies.
Moldova has already declared a state of emergency, amended its budget and diverted funds meant to help citizens cope with higher energy prices to pay Gazprom, which increased prices and refused to delay advance payments.
On Friday, Moldova’s energy regulator approved a retroactive price hike to 14.06 lei ($3.17) from 10.46 lei per cubic metre from Jan. 1.
Vadim Cheban, head of energy firm Moldovagaz, where Gazprom has a 50% plus 1 share stake, said on Thursday the hike meant that “problems with current payments to Gazprom will not repeat”.
