Parlicov: Moldova may receive gas from Türkiye as alternative to Ukrainian transit

Moldova is considering the possibility of receiving gas from Türkiye if Kyiv terminates the contract for the transit of Russian energy resources through Ukraine, Moldovan Energy Minister Victor Parlicov told TV8, Report informs referring to Interfax.

"If Ukraine does not extend the contract for the transit of gas through its territory, transportation can be carried out via alternative routes through Türkiye. This transportation will have to be paid for, it will be more expensive. But there will be gas, as well as electricity," he said.

He also said that Moldovagaz and the state-owned company Energocom are fulfilling the provisions of the law, which provides for the creation of gas reserves before the cold period in the amount of 15% of annual consumption.

"There are currently about 100 million cubic meters of gas in storage out of the required 150 million cubic meters. They are mainly stored in Romania. The problem is that Romania's storage facilities are now full. And we are discussing how safe it is to store part of the gas in storage facilities in Ukraine," Parlicov said.

In addition, the minister assured that energy tariffs for the population will remain unchanged until the end of the year.

He also denied rumors that tariffs could be reduced before the presidential elections [in October 2024], and then increased again. Since October 2022, Gazprom has been supplying Moldova with 5.7 million cubic meters of gas per day, or less than 40% of the required volume for the cold season.

Currently, Energocom has approximately 100 million cubic meters of gas in storage facilities in Ukraine and Romania, which is about 10% of annual gas consumption.