Moldova is well prepared for the heating season and all consumers will be provided with sufficient energy resources at stable prices, while tariffs for some of them may decrease - Victor Parlicov.
The Minister of Energy stated this at a press conference on Monday, noting that the country is better prepared for the current winter period than in previous years, and only pleasant surprises await consumers. Victor Parlicov said that according to the latest available data, our country's natural gas reserves were at the level of 650 million cubic meters, and these volumes will be sufficient until the end of February, and possibly for a longer period of time, depending on the temperatures this winter. The head of the Ministry of Energy said that if additional volumes of gas are needed, they will be purchased without any problems. Victor Parlicov pointed out that the state company Energocom has experience and resources, and if necessary, they will additionally purchase the missing volumes of gas. The Energy Minister recalled that Energocom had previously purchased gas at the expense of the resources allocated by the government and had already returned 1 billion lei it had received earlier. Also, part of the gas was purchased with a loan from the EBRD. Victor Parlicov emphasized that the Moldovan parliament will soon ratify a law, on the basis of which the EBRD will grant Moldova an additional loan of 165 million euros for the purchase of natural gas, while Norway will allocate a grant of 34.03 million euros for the same purposes within the EBRD project "Moldova Gas Security Supply". "We will have enough resources. In terms of volumes and prices, everything will be just as good," the Energy Minister said. He also recalled that Energocom signed a long-term contract for electricity supply with Moldavskaya GRES, which will be valid until the end of 2024, and the cost of electricity will remain at the same level of $66 per MW. "This gives confidence in the supply of electricity at stable prices. We have ensured the country's energy security and projected prices, and the tariffs will not increase, regardless of price increases in foreign markets. We will have electricity, heat and gas at stable prices, which will not grow, but may decrease during the winter," said Victor Parlicov, noting that he cannot speak about it affirmatively now. He also emphasized that Termoelectrica is ready for normal operation in the heating season, and will operate on gas. There are reserves of fuel oil, but it will be used only in case of emergency. The mechanism of compensations to citizens remains. At the same time, compensation for those who use coal, firewood and other solid fuels for heating has been increased. The head of the Ministry of Energy emphasized that only 15% of consumers use gas as the main source of heating. At the same time, Victor Parlicov urged citizens to save energy resources in order not only to get lower bills, but also to use energy resources rationally to reduce emissions into the atmosphere. According to him, an information campaign in support of rational use of energy resources will soon be held in the country. // 04.12.2023 - InfoMarket.
