Moldova still vulnerable in ensuring its own energy security, expert

Moldova doesn't completely control its energy sector, which makes it vulnerable in terms of ensuring its own energy security. The excessive import of energy resources, especially of natural gas and electric energy, as well as the lack of viable energy import alternatives restricts state authorities in their bargaining power during negotiations on energy import prices, concludes Alexandru Baltag, associate expert at the Foreign Policy Association (FPA), reports Info-Prim Neo. The expert stated on October 9, during a FPA Press Club meeting, that it is likely, in such circumstances, that the State has no clear long-run strategy on ensuring the country's energy security. Alexandru Baltag mentioned that there is only one company and one state that have almost the entire market under their control, being the only source and partner that imports gas. The Moldovan authorities have a very narrow field of action in terms of reducing the energy dependence, and ensuring true security in this field. According to the expert, the creation of a monopoly was allowed when Chisinau gave up the majority share package of Moldovagaz, and gave control over the entire local energy infrastructure to one agent, and namely Gazprom. Alexandru Baltag claims that the geographical factor, as well, did not allow and does not yet allow the diversification of import sources, and the identification of viable alternatives to the Russian gas. Essential modification of the structure of the main energy resources, in favor of those that we are capable to produce, is not possible, because of lack of investments. Alexandru Baltag suggests the authorities to attract investments, de-monopolize and liberalize the energy sector. In the expert's opinion, Moldova must use all of its opportunities as a member of the European Energy Community, aiming at the diversification of sources for natural gas and electric energy, as well as at diversifying the energy mix, in order to decrease the share of gas in the State's balance of energy resources.