The capacity of the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline for pumping gas in both directions will increase after the necessary work has been completed.
This was announced by the Ministry of Energy of Moldova, noting that this is provided for by the Moldovan-Romanian intergovernmental memorandum-agreement on the continuation of projects necessary to connect natural gas and electricity networks in the two countries, which the Romanian government approved on May 17. According to the Romanian Ministry of Energy, Romania will continue to support the strengthening of Moldova's energy security, contributing to efforts to diversify sources and routes of supply. “Cooperation is essential to strengthen energy security and independence. Romania was, is and will be a supporter of Moldova through the implementation of specific projects. An example is the commissioning of the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline (completed in 2021) and the connection of the electricity system of Moldova to the continental grid, actively supported by Romania in European forums. And we will not stop there. After signing a new memorandum, we will start a new stage of cooperation within the framework of the Strategic Partnership between Moldova and Romania,” said Romanian Minister of Energy Virgil Popescu. According to him, in the field of natural gas, cooperation between the two states will be directed to additional work on the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline, which will ensure the consumption and pressure modes of natural gas flow in both directions, respectively. An analysis will be made of the possibility of increasing the throughput capacity of the Iasi-Ungeni gas pipeline. It is also planned to expand the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline through the construction of a gas pipeline - the Chisinau Belt. The work will be completed by the end of 2031. In the field of electricity, the memorandum provides for the implementation of a project to strengthen the interconnection of the electricity systems of Moldova and Romania through the construction of an overhead power line 400 kV Suceava-Balti, the expansion of a 400 kV station in Suceava and a 400 kV station in Balti. It is planned to harmonize the primary and secondary legislation of the two countries with regard to tax and customs regimes in aspects related to the rules of the electricity market. It is also planned to complete the communication connection on the existing 110 kV Huşi-Cioara transmission line. The memorandum also provides for a joint systematic study to determine the best solution for the construction of a third 400 kV transmission line between Moldova and Romania; the takeover of SE Moldelectrica in the Transelectrica control unit within the framework of the ENTSO-E interconnection, respectively, the integration of SE Moldelectrica in the Balancing Market managed by Transelectrica; linking the centralized electricity markets in Moldova with the markets organized by the Electricity Market Operator appointed in Romania, Opcom. // 18.05.2023 — InfoMarket
