Moldova Tests US Gas as Russia Contract Ends
Consumers in the Republic of Moldova (right bank of the Nistru) will test gas from the United States of America for the first two days of April, delivered through the Greek port of Alexandroupolis, announces the company Energocom.
"On Monday and Tuesday, we will purchase 14 thousand MWh of natural gas each from the port of Alexandroupolis. In total, this is about 28 thousand MWh, which is equivalent to 2.6 million cubic metres of gas. These are gases necessary for current consumption, and the price is competitive. If we agree on a plan to continue this collaboration, we will announce it to the public soon," said Victor Bînzari, interim director of SA Energocom.
"This is the first LNG tanker to dock at Alexandroupolis (the new LNG terminal built in northern Greece), and thanks to the trusted partnership built with DEPA, we can benefit from these alternative energy resources," said Victor Bînzari.
LNG, an alternative to pipeline gas, is liquefied at low temperatures, transported by sea and then regasified. Diversification of gas sources will further strengthen the country's energy security, preparing market operators for any developments, in the context of the Russian gas transit contract through Ukraine expiring at the end of 2024. Ukraine has indicated it will not negotiate an extension, Victor Bînzari noted.
At the end of 2024, the contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine expires, and the neighbouring country has said that it will not negotiate an extension.
Energocom started its collaboration with DEPA in April 2023. Last year, the Greek company won several public tenders for the supply of gas to the Republic of Moldova, both for current consumption and for storage in warehouses.
On November 30 last year, SA Energocom and DEPA Commercial signed a Memorandum of Understanding, in which they expressed their commitment to intensifying cooperation in the supply of natural gas, including liquefied natural gas.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
