The decision to store volumes of natural gas in Ukraine is a risky one, but it implies the lowest storage and transportation price in the region, said the director of Energocom Victor Bînzari. He noted that the facility where Moldova’s gas is stored is located in a relatively quiet area of Ukraine. Possible shelling will affect only ground infrastructure, not yet the stored volumes of gas, IPN notes.

According to the Energocom chief, Moldova can store its natural gas in Ukraine, Romania and Austria. Storing gas in a country that is at war is a risky decision.

“From a strictly commercial point of view, Ukraine provides the cheapest storage in the region. Energocom registered to store not only in Ukraine and Romania. We also have the possibility to store gas in Baumgarten (Austria), but we do not use that storage place. It is a backup place. The gas storage facility in Ukraine is situated on the border with Poland and Slovakia. It is in a safe area. The facility is at a depth of one kilometer. Ground infrastructure can be destroyed, but it can be easily restored and one can later extract the gas. There are always risks, but from a commercial point of view we have access to the storage facility that has the lowest cost in the region,” Victor Bînzari stated in the program “Resumé with Ileana Pîrgaru” on RliveTV channel.

Victor Bînzari said that gas storage in Romania costs more and entails higher transport prices. Moldova is fully prepared to pass the winter season as the gas supplies are sufficient until April.

“The storage facilities in Romania have a total capacity of 3 billion cubic meters. The prices are several times higher and everything that is associated with gas extraction and transportation costs more. We seek to ensure a reasonable charge for the consumer. That’s why we took this risk of storing in Ukraine. We bought gas during the warm period, stored it and we are ready to supply this gas to the largest consumer - Moldovagaz. The supplies are enough until April,” said the interim CEO of Energocom.

Energocom signed a gas sale and purchase agreement with Moldovagaz for January – April 2024. Under the agreement, the price is €550/1,000m3, but can be subsequently lowered.