
Moldova and Romania are discussing options and conditions for the supply of Romanian electricity in the event that it is impossible to sign a new contract with MoldGRES.
This was discussed during a meeting held in Bucharest by Moldovan Energy Minister Victor Parlicov and his Romanian counterpart Sebastian-Ioan Burduja. According to the Ministry of Energy of Moldova, the parties discussed a number of topics related to bilateral relations in the energy sector, including the latest events in Moldova and the region. Victor Parlicov expressed confidence that the entry into Moldova of OPCOM, the operator of the Romanian electricity and natural gas market, will create an energy market and will contribute to the implementation of other projects initiated by the Ministry of Energy, such as smart meters, vehicle-to-grid (connecting electric vehicles to a common electrical network for recharging with the ability to supply electricity back to the network to participate in managing the demand for electricity), the introduction of differentiated tariffs, etc. The parties considered the implementation of 3 energy connection projects with Romania: the construction of the Vulcanesti-Chisinau power line, the Balti-Suceava power line and the expansion of the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline through the construction of the Chisinau Belt gas pipeline. The investment opportunities of Romania in the energy sector of Moldova, the participation of our country in the expansion of the nuclear power plant in Cernavoda and the production of natural gas in the Black Sea were also discussed. The parties also considered options and conditions for the supply of electricity to Moldova from Romania, in the event that it is impossible to sign a new contract with the Moldavian State District Power Plant located in the Transnistria region. Victor Parlicov expressed gratitude to Romania for its unconditional political, financial and expert support. The interlocutors also discussed the results of the audit of Moldovagaz's debt to Gazprom and the development of the unbundling process (separating operations for the transportation and distribution of natural gas). Currently, Moldova's gas transmission system is in the process of being leased out to Vestmoldtransgaz, a subsidiary of the Romanian transport system operator Transgaz. Possible risks associated with the transfer to the Moldovagaz and Gazprom companies of the results of the debt audit and Chisinau’s proposals for its settlement were also noted. Earlier, Victor Parlicov noted that Chisinau is negotiating with the Moldavian State District Power Plant to extend the contract for the supply of electricity to the right bank of the Dniester, recalling that the current contract is valid until the end of September. According to him, the Moldovan authorities do not want a repeat of the situation in November last year, when MoldGRES stopped supplying electricity to the right bank of the Dniester, but now they are better prepared for this scenario. Energocom purchases electricity from Moldavskaya GRES at a price of $66 per MWh. The agreement is valid until the end of September. Supplies from MoldGRES cover more than 88% of the electricity consumption needs on the right bank of the Dniester. //12.09.2023 – InfoMarket.