Ukraine can not halt power supplies – Minister of Industry

Although he says that Ukraine can not stop the supply of power to Moldova because technically this can not be done, the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure (MII) assures that if such a situation occurs, there are alternatives to avoid an energy crisis. Minister Vladimir Antosii told reporters on Thursday, July 12 that by halting the supplies to Moldova, Ukraine would leave without power a part of the consumers in its southern region, because the power systems of Moldova and Ukraine are working synchronously. “But everything is possible”, the minister said, saying that in case the supplies are ceased, Moldova has an alternative to overcome a crisis, referring to Romania and Cuciurgani Power Plant. Asked to comment on the accusations of Kiev that Moldova steels power from Ukraine, Antosii said: “I do not know who and how accuses, but there is a contract”. The Minister said that Ukraine insisted upon the increase in price of the power supplied to Moldova starting July 1 and at present the parties negotiate the issue, without specifying the price asked by the neighbour country. Moldova proposed a gradual increase, during 2 years, in order to avoid a shock. In case Ukraine asks a much higher price, Moldova has the right to ask taxes for the transit of power for the southern part of Ukraine, which the neighbouring country is not paying for at present. A delegation of Moldova will visit again Ukraine in the second half of July in to negotiate the tariff for electricity. Also, MII said that the Cuciurgani power plant insisted to start electricity exports to Romania on July 14. A decision in this respect was not taken so far, but Vladimir Antosii said that Moldova will benefit from transit payments and the increase in the power import capacity. The minister considers there is a link between the alleged ultimatum of Ukraine and the willingness of Cuciurgani to export power to Romania. On the other hand, the minister said that the increase in price is unavoidable in light of the higher prices of natural gas. The prices will also increase if joining to the Energy Community Treaty and the Union for the Co-ordination of Transmission of Electricity (UCTE), but will ensure a permanent security and all the games on the power supplies will be excluded. Moldova has to reach an agreement with Ukraine as regards the electricity issue until July 16; otherwise the neighbouring country warns it will halt the supplies to Moldova. Ukraine covers 2/3 of the internal consumption.