The Moldovan authorities and the Transnistrian administration can successfully develop joint energy projects if they do not involve the political factor in this cooperation, considers associate expert of the Foreign Policy Association Alexandru Baltag, who is the author of the study “Development of joint energy projects between the banks of the Nistru River”. The author said the authorities in the energy sector should focus on the energy and socioeconomic profitability, opportunities and necessities all over Moldova’s territory, IPN reports.

Alexandru Baltag said the geographic position of Moldova between Ukraine, Russia and the Balkan states enables the Moldovan companies to provide electricity transit and transportation services. One of the most feasible projects between the right and left banks of the Nistru, from economic viewpoint, is to produce energy with the help of the river’s waters. Small hydroelectric stations can cover the whole territory from the left bank of the Nistru and a part of the right bank.

According to the study author, the Energy Efficiency Fund may represent an efficient mechanism for implementing common projects. This year the fund includes 126 million lei, plus 100 million lei that wasn’t used last year.

Alexandru Baltag considers that the Moldovan authorities should promote a policy to convince the Transnistrian administration of the advantages of diversifying the international partners in the energy sector, including the opportunities offered by the European Energy Community and the projects provided by the European Commission, EBRD, UNDP and other organizations.

As to the supply of natural gas, Alexandru Baltag believes that Tiraspol and Chisinau may take part in the construction of an underground gas store that would ensure security in case of an energy crisis in the region.