October can come with good news for the energy sector of the Republic of Moldova. In accordance with the contract signed with Gazprom, the price calculation formula in October will be modified by swapping the share of the value of natural gas and oil. Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu said that if Gazprom does not unilaterally end the contract, the new formula will generate a lower purchase price. At the same time, the official assured that the Government will help the citizens to cope with the higher gas bills by a complex subsidization mechanism, IPN reports.
Andrei Spînu said the Government is preparing the country for the cold season of the year taking into account the scenario of a full halt in the supply of natural gas by Gazprom. The Government is forming natural gas stores and will purchase gas at the market price in emergencies.
“In spring, we purchased the first 24.5 million cubic meters of gas and then bought another 10 million in August. The state is obliged by law to create strategic reserves. This means that in case of an emergency, the state must have capacities to intervene. Experts’ calculations show that this period is of 5-10 days. So, this quantity helps us during a minimum of five days and a maximum of ten days in any period of the year. We are close to obtaining a loan from the EBRD. The first €100 million will be used create gas stores. The other €200 million can also be used to form stores for supplying the citizens and the economy if Gazprom decides to halt supplies for the Republic of Moldova. Seven companies were assessed as being able to supply natural gas. They can win the tender contests depending on the price they will offer,” Andrei Spînu stated in the program “Important” on TVC 21 channel.
The minister of infrastructure and regional development noted that if Gazprom does not end the contract with Moldova, the purchase price of gas since October will be much lower. However, given the uncertainty generated by the war in Ukraine, Moldova is considering signing a contract for the supply of natural gas with Azerbaijan.
“On October 1, the price calculation formula will be changed. If this contract with Gazprom is not unilaterally terminated by Gazprom, we will have a much better price as from October. But the citizens must realize that the given situation is not a consequence of the Government’s action or inaction. The whole Europe is in such a situation. We are preparing a package of subsidies for gas as we realize that the gas rate will be high. We aim to diversify the sources. We are having discussions with Romania and with Azerbaijan with which we intend to sign a long-term contract for the supply of gas, for a period of 10-15 years so that we do not sign contracts annually,” stated the official.
Recently, the president of the Administration Board of Moldovagaz Vadim Ceban said the company will request the National Agency for Energy Regulation to increase the gas rate to 29 lei per cubic meter of gas for residential users, up from the current rate of 22.99 lei, with VAT included.
