Moldova and the US to promote the development of the Vertical Gas Corridor and expand bilateral investment partnerships
According to the Ministry of Energy, this was discussed during a recent meeting between Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The parties reviewed the current progress in implementing the Vertical Gas Corridor project, the steps needed to strengthen it and ensure its profitability, and discussed a number of specific proposals for the further development of this initiative, which will strengthen and enhance regional energy stability and security. At the same time, the discussions focused on Moldova's energy security as part of regional and European security. Dorin Junghietu confirmed that for Moldova, energy is not only an economic issue but also a matter of national security, and that the ultimate elimination of energy dependence, which has made Moldova vulnerable in the past, is a strategic goal. Another topic of discussions was the further development of the energy partnership between Moldova and the US, including in the context of the construction of the US-funded Straseni-Gutinas high-voltage power line, and how American experience, technology, and investment can bring significant benefits to both countries, strengthening Moldova's position in the Euro-Atlantic space. As the Ministry of Energy reminds us, Moldova and Ukraine joined the Vertical Gas Corridor in 2024, which currently includes Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary. Launched in 2016, the Vertical Corridor now includes the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline and allows natural gas to be transported from Greece to Moldova and to underground gas storage facilities in Ukraine. The pipeline can transport both natural gas from Azerbaijan and liquefied natural gas, including from the United States, from the Greek terminals of Revithoussa and Alexandroupolis. The Trans-Balkan pipeline historically transported Russian gas to the Balkans via Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania, but remained inactive after Russia redirected gas exports to the Turkish Stream 1 and Turkish Stream 2 pipelines in 2020. A significant portion of the Trans-Balkan corridor's transport capacity remains underutilized, despite growing demand for gas flowing from south to north to Ukraine. To encourage the use of this route, a unique transport product has been created, offering a 25% discount on gas transport tariffs in Greece and Bulgaria, 50% in Romania and Moldova, and 46% in Ukraine, provided that the gas is transported through a number of specialized points directly to underground gas storage facilities in Ukraine. // 23.01.2026 — InfoMarket.
