The Republic of Moldova and Romania may conclude long-term contracts for the supply of electricity. The topic was discussed by the leadership of the Ministries of Energy in Bucharest and Chisinau.
During the meeting organized by the Parliament, it was announced that the Romanian Electricity and Natural Gas Market Operator (OPCOM) has decided to open a branch in the Republic of Moldova. This fact will accelerate the liberalization of the domestic energy market and its rapid integration into regional markets, said Minister of Energy of the Republic of Moldova Viktor Parlikov.
“OPCOM has over 20 years of experience in the EU marketplace. We hope that the first energy exchange deals in the Republic of Moldova will be organized next year,” said Parlicov.
During the meeting, it was decided that part of the gas reserves of the Republic of Moldova should be stored in Romania. The priority initiatives for the parties were also considered. Representatives of Chisinau asked their Romanian partners to include Chisinau in an underwater energy project that will transport electricity and gas from Azerbaijan and Georgia to Romania.
State Secretary of the Romanian Ministry of Energy, Pavel-Kasian Nitsulescu, said that in the coming years, facilities for generating electricity based on gas and nuclear fuel will be commissioned. Thus, Romania will produce energy not only for its consumption but will also be able to cover the consumption of the market of the Republic of Moldova. That is why commercial companies from Romania are interested in long-term contracts with suppliers from the Republic of Moldova.
“Romania will quickly achieve the status of a strategic regional energy supplier, given the myriad opportunities for power generation. Together with the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Moldova, we want to complete all the considered projects, both in the field of energy and in the field of gas and its storage, to offer alternative sources of electricity and gas,” said Pavel-Kasian Niculescu.