The Energy Ministers of the Republic of Moldova and Romania signed today a Memorandum of Understanding on the realization of projects for the interconnection of natural gas and electricity networks.

"This Memorandum enshrines our very intensive cooperation so far and I am grateful to Romania for its unconditional support, Romania being our main partner and advocate for integration into the European Union. The Memorandum will contribute to our goal of becoming part of the European energy market even before becoming a member of the European Union", said Victor Parlicov, Energy Minister of the Republic of Moldova.

"Romania is on the threshold of achieving energy independence, being this year a net exporter of electricity and relying solely on domestically produced gas. In terms of energy security, we have been pleased to see investments in infrastructure in recent years to diversify supply sources and we are planning the next steps. Energy is at the heart of the economy and can be used as a blackmail tool or as a tool for development, and the Republic of Moldova can always count on Romania's support," said Sebastian Burduja, Romania's Energy Minister.

The official said that Transelectrica will soon announce the tender for the construction of the Suceava-Balti high-voltage line, which will be ready in 2, maximum 3 years, and that he asked OPCOM to accelerate the process of launching the activity in the Republic of Moldova.

The Memorandum signed today foresees the possibility of increasing natural gas transportation capacity and expanding the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline by building a gas transmission pipeline - the Chisinau Ring. This could be realized by the end of 2031. The development of the gas storage system in Romania will also be supported by increasing the gas storage capacity at the Sărmășel storage site and/or the construction of a new storage site at Fălticeni.

In the context of the recent synchronization of the power system of the Republic of Moldova with the European Network of Transmission System Operators ENTSO-E, in the field of electricity, the Memorandum covers the Overhead Power Line (OPL) with nominal voltage 400 kV Suceava - Balti, the extension of the 400kV Suceava substation and the 400 kV Balti substation, the project of the 400 kV Overhead Power Line interconnection between Strășeni and a substation on the territory of Romania, established by CNTEE "Transelectrica" SA, as well as the development of the existing 110kV Huși-Cioara 110kV interconnection line in the field of electricity.

At the same time, the Memorandum will ensure the conditions for the designation of "OPCOM" SA under the legislation of the Republic of Moldova as the electricity market operator in the Republic of Moldova, including the designated electricity market operator, with a view to the integration of the electricity market of the Republic of Moldova into the internal electricity market of the European Union through market coupling.