Plans to join European electricity network beginning to take shape

The European Commission will finance 90% of a €7 million feasibility study to help Moldova and Ukraine join the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), Info-Prim Neo reports. According to a press release from the Moldovan Ministry of Economy, joining the ENTSO-E implies the physical integration of Moldova's electricity network into the European one, which will help to diversify electricity supply sources and enhance the energy security of our country. Moldova and Ukraine have been awaiting this since applying to join the ENTSO-E in April 2006. The Moldovan, Ukrainian and Romanian economy ministries have convinced the European Commission to finance 90% of the feasibility project, or €6.3 million, with the remainder to be covered by the three beneficiary countries. The plans to join the ENTSO-E are part of the 2007-2013 Romania-Ukraine-Moldova Joint Operational Program, which aims at creating “bridges” among the three countries involved, in order to help the border areas overcome their similar development challenges, by working together and finding common solutions. Joining the ENTSO-E is a priority for Moldova which is included in the Government Program. The ENTSO-E is an European association founded in 2008 that aims to develop a coordinated approach to the transmission of electricity across Europe. Having 41 members from 34 countries, the Network serves 525 million people, has a generation capacity of 828 GW, operates 305,000 kilometers of transmission lines and covers a demand of 3,400 TWh a year. Its 10-year development plan is based on the EU's energy policy to increase use of renewables to 20% of total energy consumption by 2020, promote internal electricity market and enhance supply security.