Moldova boosts energy security with EU-backed gas imports
Energocom, central electricity supplier, will acquire 20 million euros worth of natural gas from EU- and Ukraine-authorized trading platforms, based on market conditions.
Subsequently, Energocom will manage the delivery of natural gas according to a schedule agreed upon with Tiraspoltransgaz, in energy units, not exceeding a daily limit of 3 million cubic meters, equivalent to MWh. The payment for gas transportation will be made by SA “Energocom” in accordance with tariffs approved by the National Energy Regulatory Agency. After delivery, Energocom and Tiraspoltransgaz will prepare a Handover Protocol.
Energocom will also acquire electricity for the right bank of the Dniester, worth 10 million euros, from EU- and Ukraine-authorized trading platforms. The import and delivery of natural gas and electricity, as well as transportation and distribution services for both, will be conducted with VAT exemptions, according to Government spokesperson Daniel Vodă.
The CSE decision also stipulates that entities delivering natural gas, thermal energy, electricity, and managing respective networks in the eastern regions of the Republic of Moldova will supply exclusively to protected consumers, including households, healthcare institutions, educational institutions, and power plants. All relevant information was requested by Chișinău and received from Tiraspol last night, including disaggregated consumer data.
It is worth noting that the EU is providing Moldova with emergency support for energy security. In this context, the Government of Chișinău and the European Union have signed a non-repayable financing agreement worth 64 million euros. Of this sum, 30 million euros are designated for the purchase of gas and electricity on both sides of the Dniester, while 34 million euros represent financial assistance to the Government. These funds will be disbursed in two installments.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
