Moldova intends to promote energy interconnection projects with Romania and reduce dependence on Moldavskya GRES – the Energy Ministry.
This was stated, among other things, by Energy Minister Victor Parlicov, who, during a meeting with the Ambassadors of the EU member states, explained to them the scenarios the Moldovan government takes into account when preparing for the next winter. He also answered questions on the unbundling of the operator of the gas transport system, as well as on the audit of Moldovagaz company's historical debts to Gazprom. He noted that in order to reduce gas tariffs in the next heating season, the Energy Ministry insisted on purchasing significant volumes of gas in summer, when the prices are better than in the middle of the cold season. Part of the gas has been purchased and stored in Ukraine and Romania, while the remaining volumes have been contracted or will be purchased. In this context, Victor Parlicov spoke about the decision of the Commission for Emergency Situations of September 13, which stipulates that in order to ensure energy security, as well as to provide consumers with gas at affordable prices, the capacity of the Trans-Balkan corridor will be increased. The head of the Energy Ministry explained that since December last year, the Right-Bank Moldova has been consuming only non-Russian gas, which is usually transported through the Trans-Balkan corridor in reverse mode (Greece, Bulgaria, Romania). As there is now increased interest in this new route from a number of operators and volumes are limited, the Emergency Situations Commission has intervened to replenish the capacity of the gas transported, and until November 1, exceptionally, this newly created capacity will be used by state-owned Energocom. "We are adding capacity and will pay part of the costs. The decision will not affect transactions between traders for existing capacities. We will simplify customs procedures and will be happy that later this new route will be used by other market participants," the Energy Minister said. According to Victor Parlicov, for the long-term perspective, the Energy Ministry proposes to promote projects for energy interconnection with Romania and reducing the dependence on Moldavaskya GRES, increasing electrification in general, including electrification of transportation. "An electric car battery can power a house for a week and a half. We are thinking of subsidizing the installation of inverters for households willing to switch to an electric car. The more electric cars we have, the more we will increase the consumption, which is a limitation for us now, and we will be able to integrate more renewable energy into the grid," Victor Parlicov said. EU Ambassador to Moldova Janis Mazeiks highlighted the progress made in the energy sector over the last year. He also said that all the aspects related to the adoption of the EU norms in the field of electric mobility can be regulated in the energy community. // 15.09.2023 - InfoMarket.
