29 Aug 2022 13:24

Moldova to purchase electricity abroad without tender

CHISINAU. Aug 29 (Interfax) - Moldova's Energocom state company plans to buy the country's lacking electricity abroad without a tender in September-October via direct negotiations with suppliers, according to the decision taken by the country's national commission for emergencies, accounting for the state of emergency that the country is still experiencing.

The commission has granted Energocom this authority since May 2022. Energocom signed the latest contract at the end of June that stipulates, "70% of the lacking electricity in Moldova in July-August is supplied by Moldova GRES, owned by Russia's Inter RAO, at $59.90 per MWh, and 30% is supplied by Ukraine's AtomEnergo state company at $77 per MWh."

The Moldovan government explains the need to purchase the more expensive Ukrainian electricity as "owing to concerns of depending on one supplier located in the uncontrolled Trans-Dniester region."

Moldova provides only 20%-25% of its electricity needs through its own generating capacity.