CURRENT ELECTRICITY IMPORTING SCHEME TO BE VALID FOR ONE MORE YEAR

The results of the tender on electricity supplying to Moldova were summarized on Wednesday. On the basis of these, it was decided to give further effect to the current scheme of importing electricity for one more year.

According to the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure press service, the Energocom company won the tender and signed agreements with two electricity producers - the Moldavskaya power plant [in Transnistria, the Republic of Moldova's largest energy producer] and the DTEK PavlogradUgoli (Ukraine). The first will be supplying 70% of electricity, while the latter - 30%. Agreements have been signed for the period of April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019.

This proportion was established given the difference of price between two producers' electricity in order that consumers to be paying a lower tariff, as well as for ensuring Moldova's energy security, the press release says. The average electricity price is 5.24 US cents per 1 kWh.

"Though the suppliers' price will be higher than it is now, tariffs for consumers will not grow. This became possible due to the implementation of a new methodology of tariff calculation, as well as strengthening of the Moldovan leu exchange rate to the US dollar", the Ministry says.

The press release also says that market operators - Gas Natural Fenosa Furnizare Energie, RED Union Fenosa, Furnizarea Energiei Electrice Nord, Moldelectrica and RED Nord will sign agreements on electricity supplying with the Energocom mediator company.

According to the document, the process of organizing the tender was transparent. Its monitoring was conducted by a working group of supervisors, which includes representatives of EU Delegation to Moldova, the EU High Level Advisers Mission and Energy Community Secretariat.