Ukraine and Moldova intend to increase gas transmission capacities. The Ukrainian GTS Operator (GTSOU) and the Moldovan operator Vestmoldtransgaz (VMTG) are working to increase the guaranteed pumping capacity to Ukraine of at least 7 million cubic meters per day on the Trans-Balkan route, IPN reports, with reference to European Pravda of Kiev.

Ukrainian specialists spoke about this at a working meeting of stakeholders of the Vertical Gas Corridor. “Our short-term goal is to guarantee a daily volume of 7 million cubic meters at one of the interstate connections by April 2025. To this end, both of the gas system operators need to rebuild a number of facilities along the route,” said Andrii Prokofiev, head of the Division of Cooperation with Clients of the Ukrainian gas transmission operator.

The source noted that in the context of cooperation with counterparts from the Republic of Moldova, the Ukrainian side was already assured of receiving 1 million cubic meters per day. According to the GTS Operator of Ukraine, the works carried out so far have not required significant investments, neither from the Ukrainian side nor from the Moldovan side, the new capacities being already used for gas transportation to Ukraine from September 1, 2024.

Currently, GTSOU and VMTG are working to further develop the gas transmission capacities, the source said. Given that the infrastructure of the Trans-Balkan pipeline is functional, in order to reach the objective of 7 million cubic meters per day to Ukraine in the medium term, only the increase of pumping capacities in “reverse” mode on the pipeline’s route is required.

At the same time, the Ukrainian side stressed the need to apply competitive and economically motivated charges for the given route. This will strengthen the technical potential of the Trans-Balkan Corridor with an attractive commercial model.

IPN reported earlier that the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Slovakia have joined the Vertical Gas Corridor, alongside Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary. According to the authorities, this will help the Republic of Moldova to diversify its gas supply sources and to reduce its dependence on the Russian company Gazprom.