Moldova starts importing gas from Europe via Ukraine

Since the beginning of March, Moldova has started importing natural gas from Europe via Ukraine. Natural gas is transiting from Hungary through the Ukrainian GTS without using the short-haul service or injecting gas into Ukrainian underground storage facilities. This is according to ExPro's calculations based on data from the GTS Operator of Ukraine.

The supply volumes fluctuate in the range of 3.4-3.6 mcm per day in the first days of March. In addition, Moldova receives about 5.7 mcm of natural gas per day from Russia, which also transits through Ukraine. The Russian gas is mainly used by the Transnistrian thermal power plant to generate electricity. Also, Moldova receives about 0.4-0.5 mcm per day from the "customs warehouse" of Ukrainian underground storage facilities.

It is not yet known on what terms Moldova receives natural gas from Europe. The Moldovan state-owned company Energocom can buy natural gas on the European spot markets amid falling gas prices. Moldova can also receive gas that it has purchased as part of the EU's joint purchases.