​MOLDOVA TO BEGIN RECEIVING ROMANIAN NATURAL GAS FROM SEPTEMBER 1 – LEANCA

On September 1, Romanian natural gas will cross the [border river of] Prut to thus begin a regular supply of the fuel, though in small amounts for the beginning, and will improve the Republic of Moldova’s energy security, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca stated at the ceremony of the commissioning of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline on Wednesday.

Leanca said that within maximum 2 years from now, Moldova will come to have a reliable system of inter-linking, and will thus be free to choose where it is more advantageous to buy gas from – the East or the West.

“This project is not aimed against anybody. It is in the interests of Moldova and its consumers. An alternative fuel source will ensure us calmness and confidence that nobody will be able to create problems for us or threaten us”, said Iurie Leanca.

His Romanian colleague Victor Ponta stated that there is nothing more important for Romania than to see that Moldova is close here in Europe.

“Together, we are stronger. To be really independent, Moldova and Romania are in need of energy, too. Together, we can be really independent and can earn international respect for this”, said the Romanian premier.

European Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger stated at the ceremony that this project is important not only for the two neighbor states but also for Europe.

“Moldova’s integration into our energy infrastructure is very important in terms of ensuring inter-linking between energy systems. We will continue making other steps, too, and will be expanding in the electricity sphere. We will ensure modernization of the networks to provide for the highest level of energy security”, said the European Commissioner.

Infotag’s dossier: The construction of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline was launched solemnly on the Independence Day in 2013. The project was then declared as one of state importance both in Moldova and Romania – as one aimed at ensuring Moldova with “an alternative gas source”. The alternative source is the Romanian economy, which is 30% dependent on the fuel it buys from the Russian Gazprom Concern. And Moldova is 100% dependent on the Russian gas.

The project’s budget exceeds 26 million euros. The pipeline has a technical capacity to pump 1.25 billion cubic meters per year, but at the initial stage Romania will be supplying only not more than 50 million cubic meters a year. Currently, the Republic of Moldova (without the Transnistrian region) consumes annually over 1.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

In early August, 2014 the gas transport system operators – VestMoldTransGaz of Moldova and TransGaz of Romania signed an Operation Agreement on interlinking and on joint operating the gas pipeline. The document stipulates the rules, procedures and technical conditions of supplying natural gas from Romania and gas receiving in Moldova.

Sources in the Moldovan Ministry of Economy told your Infotag correspondent that Moldova will be importing fuel from Romania at a tariff cheaper than what the republic pays currently for the Russian gas (over US$375 per a thousand cubic meters).

The project’s next stage stipulates the building of a pipeline from Ungheni to Chisinau and of a gas branch line between Onesti and Letcani, with a gas-compressor station in the territory of Romania.