Energy Minister Victor Parlicov is taking part on Monday and Tuesday in the second edition of the Romanian Energy Symposium, SIREN, organized by the Romanian National Committee of the World Energy Council, with the participation of Romanian executive and legislative officials, companies and practitioners from Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

The Energy Minister thanked Romania for its financial and political support over the years and especially during the energy crisis in recent years, including efforts to balance the gas system when the Russian Federation limited supplies to the Republic of Moldova, electricity supplies in 2022, fuel oil donations and others. "I will not tire of thanking Romania and the Romanian people for their immense support to the Republic of Moldova, including during this energy crisis of recent years, which we are discussing today. In this context, our bilateral relations, both on infrastructure and trade, have intensified so much that we have recently decided to revive also the Inter-ministerial Working Group on Energy to coordinate multiple activities", said Victor Parlicov.

The Minister of Energy reported on the completion of the procedure of unbundling or unbundling of natural gas transmission, distribution and supply through the agreement signed voluntarily by the subsidiaries Transgaz and Gazprom for the operation of the gas transmission system in the Republic of Moldova, including in the Transnistrian region by Vestmoldtransgaz.

On the electricity side, connections with Romania are being strengthened through the construction of the Vulkanesti-Chisinau high-voltage line bypassing the Moldovan power plant in the Transnistrian region, Moldovan resources have already been allocated for the Balti-Suceava line and a feasibility study is being prepared for the construction of the Straseni-Iasi power line. According to Victor Parlicov, other options are also being examined in order to have at least three lines allowing stable operation of the power system integrated into the continental ENTSO-E system. The time horizon for the construction of these power lines is before 2030.

At the same time, the minister emphasized that the Romanian Commodities Exchange is already active in Chisinau, and a decision was recently taken to expand the energy exchange OPCOM, which is expected to carry out its first transactions in Moldova next year.

The minister also reported on the energy reforms being carried out, including the intention to privatize the electricity distribution and supply networks in the north of the republic, for which Romania is also interested, the creation of the Energy Efficiency Fund in the public sector, as well as the electrification of transport and the digitalization of the sector, all with the ultimate goal of achieving development without greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.