OREANDA-NEWS. May 06, 2013. This was spoken about at a working sitting on the matter of interconnection of energy systems of Moldova an Romanian, chaired by Acting Premier of Moldova Iurie Leanca and taken part in by representatives of public bodies engaged in the talks on the laying of the gas pipeline, construction of high-voltage lines Iasi-Unghei-Straseni and installation of back-to-back converters at high-voltage lines Balti-Suceava and Vulcanesti-Isaccea.

Participants of the sitting reviewed current results of the projects implemented and identified topics to be touched upon during Romanian Energy Minister Constantin Nita’s visit to Moldova on May 7/8. Both: Romania and Moldova were said to have started purchasing works for the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline construction.

By estimates, the works on construction of the Moldovan segment of the gas pipeline can be started in August after the works procurement is over. A necessity was stressed to transit to the second stage of the construction to obtain financing for making the feasibility report and the design for starting construction of the compressor station and the Ungeni-Chisinau gas pipeline. The latter is expected to deliver gas to a bigger amount of consumers in Moldova. Another topic for discussion was the situation with construction of high-voltage lines between Moldova and Romania. Iurie Leanca pointed out high importance of these projects for Moldova and reminded that EBRD and EIB had expressed willingness to provide Moldova with loans for the construction of these lines.

As it was said earlier, Moldova and Romania declared their intention to lay the main gas pipeline Ungheni-Iasi by the end of 2013. It will provide connection of national gas transporting systems of Moldova and Romania, strengthen energy safety of the two states and diversify sources and routes of gas supply to Moldova. A total length of the gas pipeline will make 43.2 km. The Moldovan segment will be 10.4 km. long.

The budget of the construction is assessed at EUR 19 million. Laying the Moldovan segment of the pipeline is expected to come to EUR 7 million of which EUR 3 million will be allotted by the EU. Some funds will be granted by Romania. The project is to be implemented by Moldelectrica (Moldova) and Transelectrica (Romania). The transporting capacity of the gas pipeline Ungheni-Iasi will make 1.5 bln cu m a year.