Expert-Grup

Accelerating the Romania–Moldova Gas Interconnection: An Urgent Need to Escape the Constraints of the Russian Monopoly

Friday, 22 February 20193834 views
Accelerating the Romania–Moldova Gas Interconnection: An Urgent Need to Escape the Constraints of the Russian Monopoly

Automatically translated summary. The full article is available in Romanian.

Experts at an event organised by Expert-Grup warn that the Romania–Moldova gas interconnection still faces serious risks, even though construction of the Ungheni-Chișinău gas pipeline began a few days ago. Delays could push back commissioning and gas exports to Moldovan consumers beyond the 2020 target.

Experts question whether Transgaz can complete works in Romania while handling other interconnection projects. Sergiu Tofilat of Watchdog.md cites delays tied to the Vestmoldtransgaz privatisation, permits, land expropriation and a lack of bids for the 7 tender lots, while the Gazprom contract expires in December 2019.

Denis Cenușă of Expert-Grup notes the project is profitable only at full capacity of 1.5 billion m3 a year; without storage, only 700-800 million m3 could be used. Ana Otilia Nuțu of Expert Forum warns that unpaid Gazprom supplies to the Transnistrian region deter Romanian suppliers. The experts recommend de jure and de facto market liberalisation, separating transport infrastructure from suppliers' interests, unrestricted network access, and a single tariff approved by ANRE for all gas transport infrastructure.

View the original article in Romanian