Romanian-Moldavian Gas Pipeline Works Inaugurated
The Prime Ministers of Romania (Victor Ponta) and the Republic of Moldova (Iurie Leancă), along with EU Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger, inaugurated on Tuesday construction works for the Iasi-Ungheni pipeline, a gas interconnector between Ungheni (West of Moldova) and Iaşi (East of Romania).
Ahead of the inauguration Oettinger commented that “this is a historic day – we are celebrating that Moldova will be directly connected to the EU gas market. This will enhance its energy security and reduce its dependence from the only supplier it has now.”
Speaking at the inauguration Ponta said “Iasi-Ungheni pipeline that will be completed in December of this year, will allow the neighboring state to have a stronger position in the negotiations with other suppliers, due to Romanian gas supplied through this pipeline.”
As reported by Natural Gas Europe earlier this month, the European Union is willing to foster stronger ties with Moldova. It will provide 7 of the 26.5 million euros needed to construct the pipeline.
The project aims to increase the level of energy security for Moldova and the eastern part of Romania by diversifying gas supply sources. The pipeline will carry 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year, the equivalent to 15% of Moldova's yearly production and will be operated both ways.
The pipeline will be 43.2 kilometers long, of which 32.8 kilometers is on Romanian territory. Romania will invest €12 million in the project.
The EU has granted Moldova non-refundable funds amounting to €12 million, both for the pipeline and for building necessary infrastructure to cross the Prut River, which is not included in the total cost of the pipeline.
“As a result of confirmed offshore explorations in the Black Sea and of, I hope, successful explorations for shale gas; Romania will have a production that will cover entirely our national requirements. From my point of view […] national gas requirements means Romania and Republic of Moldavia. We make calculations for 2018, 2019 and take into account Romania and Moldova. It is important that our domestic production will be able to cover, in a few years, all the consumption of Romania and Moldova” said Prime Minister Ponta.