On Wednesday, at the proposal of the Ministry of Energy, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Moldova regarding the continuation of the projects necessary to interconnect the natural gas and electricity networks in Romania and the Republic of Moldova was adopted, the Ministry of Energy announced.

“Romania has been and will continue to be a supporter of strengthening the energy security of the Republic of Moldova, through its contribution to the efforts to diversify sources and supply routes,” the statement says.

“Cooperation is essential for strengthening energy security and independence. Romania was, is and will be a supporter of the Republic of Moldova through the completion of concrete projects. An example is the operationalization of the Iaşi-Ungheni-Chişinău Interconnector (completed in 2021) and the connection of the electricity system of the Republic of Moldova to the continental grid, strongly supported by Romania in European forums. And we won’t stop there. With the Memorandum signed today, we are starting a new stage of cooperation within the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the Republic of Moldova,” said Virgil Popescu, Minister of Energy.

The cooperation between the two states will focus on the realization of other concrete projects:

In the field of natural gas:

1) complementary works to the Iasi – Ungheni – Chisinau interconnection, which will ensure the flow and pressure regimes for the flow of natural gas in both directions, respectively:

1. a) analyzing the possibility of increasing the transport capacity of the Iași – Ungheni interconnection;
2. b) the expansion of the Iași – Ungheni – Chisinau gas pipeline through the construction of a gas transport pipeline – the Chisinau Belt.

The work would be completed by the end of 2031.

In the field of electricity:

1) the development of the project Interconnection of the electric energy systems of Romania and the Republic of Moldova by building the investment objective of strategic importance the 400 kV Suceava – Bălți Overhead Power Line, the extension of the 400 kV Suceava station and the 400 kV Bălți station;

2) harmonization of the primary and secondary legislation of their states regarding the fiscal and customs regime in the aspects related to the rules of the electricity market;

3) Completion of the communication interconnection on the existing 110 kV Huși – Cioara power line;

4) The possibility of:

1. a) carrying out a joint system study to identify the best solution for the construction of the third electrical interconnection line at the voltage level of 400 kV between Romania and the Republic of Moldova;
2. b) the takeover of Moldelectrica in the adjustment block of C.N.T.E.E. Transelectrica S.A., within the ENTSO-E interconnection, respectively the integration of Moldelectrica into the Balancing Market administered by C.N.T.E.E. Transelectrica S.A.;
3. c) the coupling of the centralized electricity markets in the Republic of Moldova with those organized by the Electricity Market Operator appointed from Romania, Opcom S.A.