Moldova faces no risk of remaining without electricity after May 1; negotiations with suppliers on the most favorable electricity price are held now - Natalia Gavrilita.
Moldovan Prime Minister stated this while answering journalists’ questions. She explained that the Emergencies Commission has extended the deadline for the tender for the electricity purchase until April 28, inclusive, for several reasons. As noted by the head of the Cabinet of Ministers, in particular, additional time was needed to check the bidders and continue negotiations to determine the best price. In addition, it is necessary to book the capacity for electricity transportation. Natalia Gavrilita stressed that Moldova receives many proposals. "Discussions and negotiations focus, first of all, on the price of electricity and the duration of the contract, as well as the availability of power balancing sources. We will make the best decision. But there is no risk of being left without electricity supplies. The results of the tender will be announced after all the procedures are completed," the Premier said. It should be noted that the Moldovan HPP, which is located in Transnistria, currently supplies electricity to consumers on the right bank of the Nistru River at a price of 5.35 cents per kilowatt-hour. The contract concluded earlier was valid until March 31, and was prolonged only for a month, until May 1, and not for one year, as previously agreed, because the Moldovan HPP refused to prolong the contract at the former tariffs for another year. With the beginning of the war in Ukraine the situation changed, and the Moldovan HPP decided that the contract would be prolonged only for a month, until May 1, stating the reason as uncertainty about future gas supplies after May 1. Andrei Spinu, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development has earlier said there is a risk that Gazprom will stop supplying natural gas to Moldova as of May 1, and the Moldovan HPP will not be able to supply electric energy to the right bank of the Nistru River. According to him, the Moldovan authorities are ready for this scenario and will ensure the supply of electricity from alternative sources. In particular, the option of buying electricity from Ukraine is being considered. // 28.04.2022 - InfoMarket
