Recent news shows that Moldova, Romania and Ukraine intend to work together to increase the capacity of the Transbalcanica gas pipeline, including through the development of renewable hydrogen projects.
Romania is thus once again asserting its role as a pillar of regional energy security through its cooperation with Moldova and other countries in the field of natural gas and electricity.
Transbalcanica - tripartite formula for regional stability
„We will work together to increase the capacity of the Transbalkan gas pipeline as part of the Vertical Corridor, including the harmonization of gas quality parameters and the development of green hydrogen production projects using renewable energy sources” - the document cited by cursdeguvernare.ro.
In addition to collaboration in the field of natural gas, the representatives of the 3 countries emphasized the paramount importance of developing regional electricity connections, in particular the implementation of the project of the second ring of the overhead power line (O.P.L.).
But this is not the only example of Romanian-Moldovan energy cooperation.
Support for natural gas supply
In the context of the conflict in Ukraine, Romania has supported the Republic of Moldova by supplementing the quantities that Gazprom, a Russian supplier, has stopped supplying Chisinau.
Gas pumping to Moldova started in December 2022, through the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline, finalized in July 2020, a route that could ensure Moldova's energy independence from Russian gas. The use of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline could ensure Moldova's energy independence as it could bring gas from south-eastern Europe, including liquefied gas through terminals in Turkey or Greece, writes cursdeguvernare.ro.
Romania was also a supplier of electricity after Russia bombed Ukrainian electricity production facilities.
In 2022, about 80% of Moldovan electricity came from Romania. In April 2024, the Republic of Moldova started work to connect the electricity grid to Romania's electricity grid, following a program to reduce dependence on Russian energy, AFP reports. A high-voltage power line linking Chisinau and Isaccea is under construction. The 27 million euro project is being financed by the World Bank. In total, 500 poles are to be built - by 2025 - on a new 400-kilovolt line 158 kilometers long, from Chisinau to Vulcanesti (south).
Memorandum on the interconnection of the electricity and gas networks of Romania and Moldova, signed on December 11, 2023, has become law, with the promotion in public debate of a GD in this regard, promoted by the Ministry of Energy. In the explanatory memorandum, the Ministry of Energy indicates that there is a common will for the integration of Moldova into the European energy market and for the long-term supply of energy from Romania to the Republic of Moldova.
Natural gas network management
On September 19, 2023, Transgaz, through its subsidiary Vestmoldtransgaz of the Republic of Moldova, has retrieved from operation and management of the National Natural Gas Transmission System of the Republic of Moldova from Moldovatransgaz. The takeover came after Vestmoldtransgaz signed a lease contract for the natural gas transmission networks, approved by the Moldovan National Energy Regulatory Authority. The decision was taken as Moldovatransgaz did not fulfill the European unbundling and certification requirements in accordance with the European Union's Energy Package III, Directive 2009/72/EC on common rules for the internal electricity market and Law 108/27.05.2016.
The General Director of Transgaz, Ion Sterian, emphasized the importance of this takeover and mentioned the strategic investments of 430 million euro made by Transgaz, thanks to which the Romanian company can ensure the diversification of supply sources and energy security in Moldova.
Among them, Transgaz Director mentioned:
- Investments realized on the Romanian territory - NTS developments in the North-Eastern part of the country: the Onești-Gherăești-Lețcani gas pipeline, modernization of the Siliștea and Onești 2 compressor stations, construction of the Onești 1 and Gherăești compressor stations, the Iasi-Ungheni interconnector;
- Investment from Moldova - Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline.
ROMGAZ - branch in Chisinau
As of May 16, 2024, ROMGAZ has a branch in Chisinau. Thus, the company contributes to the energy security of the Republic of Moldova. Aristotel Jude, Deputy CEO of ROMGAZ, quoted by Financial Intelligence, said at the opening of the branch, „We are convinced that the presence of ROMGAZ in the Republic of Moldova and the trading of natural gas on the centralized market in the Republic of Moldova will effectively contribute to the liberalization of the natural gas market in this country and to the creation of the necessary premises for the establishment of a real price for the benefit of consumers.”.
Complicated times, reliable partnership
Armed conflicts in Ukraine and Russia, disagreements over the transportation of Russian natural gas to Europe, the conflict in Israel are factors that threaten to destabilize the natural gas market and increase global prices.
Under these circumstances, the authorities in Chisinau have signaled a state of emergency regarding natural gas. Romania's reaction was swift, with Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja assuring Moldova of our support:
„Our brothers from across the Prut have decided to put the gas market on early alert because of the recent events in the Kursk region. That is why I had a telephone conversation with my friend, Victor Parlicov, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Moldova, and I assured him of Romania's full and permanent support. We coordinated, as we have always done, in order to manage this situation with maximum efficiency. Through Romania's new Energy Strategy, our country is committed to supporting Moldova's energy security. We have the capacity and the determination to unconditionally support the Republic of Moldova, all the more so in these particularly complicated times,” Burduja wrote on his Facebook page, as quoted by Agerpres.
Source:
