Moldova's gas major seeks to raise prices by over 30%

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's gas distribution monopoly Moldovagaz asked the country's energy regulator on Monday for permission to raise gas prices for consumers by 31.5%, as the small east European country faces a winter energy crisis.

The move was announced by Moldovagaz head Vadim Ceban in a post on Telegram, with the proposed new price being 26,675 Moldovan lei ($1,382) per thousand cubic metres.

"The main factor that necessitated this step was the continued significant increase in purchase prices," Ceban wrote.

The proposed increase would affect both private household and industrial consumers.

Moldova is heavily reliant on Russian gas, and has been hit hard by the steep increase in spot gas prices since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February. Moldova shares a border with Ukraine and like Kyiv aspires to join the European Union.

Thousands of people came out onto the streets of Moldova's capital, Chisinau, on Sunday to demand the resignation of the pro-Western government, citing the high fuel prices and wider inflation.

Several hundred protesters remained in tents overnight outside Moldova's parliament.

($1 = 19.2900 Moldovan lei)

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas, Writing by Max Hunder; Editing by Gareth Jones)