Electricity market liberalisation postponed by eight years

The liberalisation of the electricity market, due to be implemented until July 1, 2007, was postponed until 2015. The Parliament approved a draft law in this respect on Friday, July 13. Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Vladimir Antosii justified this request by the fact that for the proper functioning of the market it is necessary to create proper conditions. The automated account system of the inflow of power transacted on the market was not finished yet. Also there are insufficient interconnection capacities with the neighbouring countries for the supply of power. The aerial power lines Balti-Novodnestrovsc, Balti-Suceava and Falciu-Gotesti have not been built yet etc. Several opposition MPs criticised the draft Law, mentioning that the Government did not present a concrete action plan, does not want to liberalise the market in order to maintain its control over the market. Also, the Government was criticised for the fact that it did not undertake the necessary actions to create the necessary conditions for the market liberalisation. Antosii denied the accusations, mentioning that the liberalisation of the market and privatisation of the distribution companies “RED-Nord” and “Red-Nord-Vest” will increase the price of power. The proposal to vote for the draft Law in the second reading was not supported by the opposition MPs.