Moldova takes key role in gas transit to Ukraine through “Route 1”
The Republic of Moldova is entering winter with adequate gas supplies to meet consumer demand. Additionally, by integrating into the Vertical Corridor, Moldova now has direct access to gas from the Caspian Sea and LNG terminals in Greece. This development not only enhances the country's energy security but also contributes to regional stability, according to acting Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu.
"The Republic of Moldova is entering the winter of 2025/2026 with over 90% of its gas needs already secured, thanks to proactive policies focused on source diversification, safe storage, and regional cooperation. We have diversified our supply sources, modernized our infrastructure, and taken decisive steps towards integration into the European energy market. By actively participating in regional initiatives and implementing coordinated pricing policies, the Republic of Moldova demonstrates that its flexibility contributes to Europe’s accessibility," declared Dorin Junghietu at the Ministerial Meeting of the High-Level Group for Energy Connectivity in Central and South-Eastern Europe (CESEC), held in Bucharest on October 26–27, 2025.
The Chisinau official highlighted, at the event that brought together Energy Ministers, representatives of the European Commission and transmission system operators (TSOs) from the region, who discussed solutions regarding the integration of regional natural gas and electricity infrastructure in the context of the REPowerEU initiative, the "key role" of the Republic of Moldova in the development of the Vertical Gas Corridor: Greece – Bulgaria – Romania – Republic of Moldova – Ukraine ("Route 1").
To encourage the use of this route, the Republic of Moldova has extended the product's application period for November 2025 – April 2026, applying a 50% reduction to the transmission tariffs charged by the operator Vestmoldtransgaz at the Căușeni and Grebenyky interconnection points.
At the same time, the product provides for a reduction in the gas transportation tariff of 25% in Greece and Bulgaria, 50% in Romania and Moldova and 46% in Ukraine, provided that the gas is transported through a series of dedicated points, directly to underground storage facilities in Ukraine.
"Through this mechanism, we are not only supporting Ukraine in its effort to ensure its gas stocks for the winter, in a difficult security context, but we are also creating commercial opportunities for operators in Moldova and the entire region", explained the acting Minister of Energy.
In the Republic of Moldova, the state-owned company Energocom was the first to use this route commercially, transporting liquefied natural gas from the United States through the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis, Greece. And the increase in volumes transited through the Moldovan infrastructure will generate, in the future, "a general reduction in transportation tariffs and better market integration", concluded the acting Minister, Dorin Junghietu.
The CESEC initiative, launched by the European Commission, aims to accelerate the integration of energy markets in Central and South-Eastern Europe and improve interconnectivity between EU Member States and neighbouring countries. The Republic of Moldova has joined these efforts, reaffirming its role as a bridge between South-Eastern Europe and Ukraine in the framework of the implementation of REPowerEU, the EU strategy introduced in 2022 to counter the effects of the energy crisis triggered by Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
