The first vessel with liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States arrived at the Alexandroupolis terminal in Greece, which was recently put into operation. SA Energocom on this vessel has a test load of 2.6 million cubic meters of gas. Thus, in the first two days of April, consumers on the right bank of the Nistru River will use gas from the U.S. in their households, IPN reports.

“On Monday and Tuesday we will purchase by 14,000 MWh of natural gas from the port of Alexandroupolis. In total, it goes to about 28,000 MWh, which is the equivalent of 2.6 million cubic meters of gas. The gas is needed for current consumption, while the price is competitive. If we agree on a formula to continue this cooperation, we will inform the citizens in the immediate period,” said Energocom interim director Victor Bînzari.

The LNG gas is a separate industry from the extraction and transportation of gas to which the citizens of the Republic of Moldova got used. The LNG gas, an alternative to Russian gas, is liquefied at low temperatures, transported by sea and then regasified. “The diversification of gas sources will further strengthen the country’s energy security, preparing market operators for any developments, given that at the end of 2024 the contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine expires and the neighboring country said that it will not negotiate a renewal,” stated Victor Bînzari.

Energocom started its cooperation with DEPA in April 2023. Last year, the Greek company won several public tender contests for the delivery of gas to Moldova, both for current consumption and for storage in reservoirs. On November 30 last year, SA Energocom and DEPA Commercial signed a Memorandum of Understanding expressing their commitment to intensify cooperation in the supply of natural gas, including liquefied natural gas.