#Sergiu Lica

81% of Moldova's gas comes in through Ungheni. From 5 August, a European rule changes who can reserve capacity at the border

From 5 August, the European rules on 'coupled capacity' become mandatory at the borders of the Republic of Moldova — including at Ungheni, the point through which 81.1% of imported gas entered the country in 2025. The rule is meant to open the market, but, without the European Union's fiscal architecture, around 21 of the 31 licensed suppliers would need either a place of business in Romania or a guarantee of roughly one million euros each. The head of gas trading at Energocom, Sergiu Lica, warns that small suppliers risk being pushed out of the market. For the household bill, though, this is not a 5 August shock.