Ukraine cannot offer new power supply projects to Moldova

Ukraine cannot propose new power supply projects for Moldova anymore, says the Ukrainian publication Ekonomicina Pravda, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. Valentin Bondarenko, director of the company Ucrinterenergo, told the publication it was earlier agreed that the issue of electricity supply from Ukraine to Moldova will be discussed immediately after the new government is formed in Chisinau. The company's deputy director Irina Tihonchuk said the Moldovan authorities intended to submit their proposals to the Ukrainian Ministry of Fuel and Energy even in September, but have not yet done it. The publication says that Ucrinterenergo did not manage to contact the administration of Moldova's Energocom. According to the quoted source, Ukraine provides Odessa region with electric power through Moldova. Moldova pays the difference between the price of the power it takes from the Ukrainian energy system and then supplies to Ukraine. Over January-August this year, Moldova bought 4.4 million kWh of power though this scheme. Until recently, Moldova bought power from Ukraine at a lower price than the wholesale price on the Ukrainian market. In July, the price of Ukrainian electricity for Moldova was raised to 5.4 cents per kWh. “We consider this a victory as Moldova planed to purchase power for 5.15 cents,” Bondarenko said. In 2008, Moldova imported 260-270 million kWh of power a month from Ukraine. From January 1, 2009, Moldova has been supplied with power mainly by the Cuchurgan Power Plant located in Transnistria. It provides 250 million kWh a month for 5.8 cents per kWh. The plant is owned by Russia's Inter RAO UES.