A number of energy experts assert the consumers were defrauded of over US$14.5 million in 2008 by schemes to purchase electric power through intermediary companies. The group of experts will request the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate this case.
In a news conference at IPN, expert Sergiu Tofilat said that according to the data of the National Agency for Energy Regulation, the foreign suppliers in 2008 delivered to Moldova 1.959 billion kWh of power through the agency of SA “Energocom”, which is managed by the Ministry of Economy. The Ukrainian company “Ukrinterenergo” supplied 1 654 746 673 kWh at the price of 0.036 - 0.047 $/kWh, “Energo-Partner” Kft - 1 300 253 459 kWh at the price of 0.053 to 0.058 $/kWh, while the Cuchurgan Power Plant of Transnistria (“Moldovaskaya GRES”) - 3 952 958 kWh at the price of 0.036 - 0.047 $/kWh.
According to the expert, in May 2008 SA “Energocom” modified the contractual scheme for importing power from Ukraine. Thus, 70% of the electricity imported from Ukraine was purchased from “Ukrinterenergo”, which was supplied at the market price (0.04 $/kWh), while 30% started to be bought through the intermediary company “Energo-Partner” Kft at a higher price (0.053 $/kWh). In July 2008 the volume of supplies through the intermediary company rose to 72-74% of the electricity imported from Ukraine, the difference being purchased from “Ukrinterenergo” at the market price.
Sergiu Tofilat noted that in May-December 2008 alone the Moldovan consumers were defrauded of over US$14.5 million after “Energo-Partner” Kft imported power at a higher price than the one offered by “Ukrinterenergo”.
Expert Tudor Soitu said the group of experts request the law enforcement bodies to examine all the presented arguments and proofs and to take legal action in this case and to also investigate the actions of the responsible persons, including the then Premier Zinaida Grecheanyi, Minister of Economy Igor Dodon and SA “Energocom” director general Alexandru Gusev, who all formed part of Moldova’s delegation to Kyiv that held negotiations on the supply of power during April 21-22, 2008.
Energy expert Victor Parlicov said the negotiations on the contract for the purchase of power have always been held behind closed doors, in the absence of a transparent process and without respecting minimum loyal competition conditions. For the first time this year, at the insistence of civil society and international organizations, a tender contest was held in more or less transparent conditions. As a result, a contract was signed with DTEK “Traiding” of Ukraine at end-March. In a while, ignoring and defying any transparency and without taking into account foreign partners’ suggestions, a new contract was signed with the Transnistrian supplier “Moldovaskaya GRES”. Thus, each consumer contributes to financing the separatist regime by purchasing electrical energy from this.
