Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline to become operational in December

The gas pipeline interconnecting Romania and the Republic of Moldova is set to become operational this year, said PM Ponta earlier this week during the inauguration of the building works.

The pipeline requires an investment of EUR 28 million out of which EUR 7 million are granted by the EU. Romania has invested EUR 9 million in the pipeline that should cut the dependency of the Republic of Moldova on Russian gas imports.

“Until 2018 Romania will have natural gas production both for our consumption and for Moldova. When we are talking about electricity, natural gas, when we make our strategy we do it together with Moldova,” said PM Ponta.

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The new pipeline has a maximum transportation capacity of 1 billion cbm, covering around one third of the gas consumption in the Republic of Moldova.

Ponta argues Romania will strike energy sufficiency by 2018 – 2019, if the offshore and shale gas explorations reveal enough resources, allowing it to export the additional output to the Republic of Moldova.

Gunther Oettinger, EU Commissioner for Energy, commented the pipeline will enhance the “energy security” of the Republic of Moldova by tapping the EU and international gas markets.

Ovidiu Posirca