The Russian gas will be supplied to Moldova based on the formula defined in the old contract that is to be again extended. Moldova asks for a reduction of US$5-6 per 1,000 cubic meters of Russian gas, for which the country now pays US$374, IPN reports.

“They promised they will examine this possibility, but told us to come and present our strategy for rescheduling the payment of the debt for gas. Our experts are now working on this strategy, which should be presented by November 1. Afterward, it will be decided whether the contract for the supply of gas for next year will be signed or the current contract will be extended,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Andrian Candu, referring to the results of the meeting with representatives of Russia’s Gazprom.

As to the supply of electricity, the official said the agreements signed with the suppliers from Ukraine and Cuchurgan expire on April 1, 2015. “There are no reasons for concerns as to interruptions in the supply of electricity in autumn-winter. Until recently, we received over 60% of the electric power from Ukraine, while the rest from Cuchurgan. Given that some of the coal mines in Donbas were destroyed and the transportation of coal from other areas of this region is now hampered, the supply of electricity from Ukraine decreased, while that from Cuchurgan increased. The proportion is now 50:50,” said the minister, specifying that the prices remained unchanged.

Andrian Candu also said that there are possibilities of increasing the local production of electricity, which now satisfies over 20% of the needs, and of importing electric power from Romania.

Moldova purchases electricity from Ukraine through the company DTEK Vostokenergo and from the Cuchurgan Power Plant at the price 6.8 cents per kilowatt-hour, as against 6.9 cents in the last two years.