The gas company “Moldovagaz” began to stockpile natural gas in Ukraine through the Trans-Balkan section. Amounts of 1.5 to 3 million cubic meters of natural gas will be transported daily for stockpiling them in underground stores for being used in winter.
According to the public relations service of “Moldovagaz”, about 100 million cubic meters of gas are to be stored in October-November. Depending on the necessities, the fuel will be supplied to the consumers in December 2020 – February 2021.
Contacted by IPN, energy expert Sergiu Tofilat explained the advantages of stockpiling gas. He said the gas can be bought in summer, when it is cheaper. Gas consumption in summer is lower and the price decreases. The gas can be stored in Ukraine and consumed in winter, when prices rise. In this case, it should be determined to what extent the final price consisting of the purchase price of gas, the costs of storage in Ukraine and the costs of transportation to Moldova is more advantageous than the purchase price of gas in winter, according to the market price. There is also the energy security aspect when gas reserves are available.
According to the expert, when Moldova switches over to market mechanisms, there will be different gas suppliers that will contract how much gas they want and when they want. “The contracts for the purchase of gas include a clause. If you undertake to buy, for example, 10 million cubic meters of gas, but in reality consume less, 90 million cubic meters, for instance, you are obliged to pay the whole contracted quantity and the possibility of storing the remaining gas is thus welcome,” stated Sergiu Tofilat.
Gas consumption in Moldova, calculated for the right bank of the Nistru, represents about 1 billion cubic meters of gas a year. Over 80% is consumed during the cold period of the year.
