Moldova begins importing electricity from Romania

CHISINAU. Oct 14 (Interfax) - Moldova has begun importing electricity from Romania, but is continuing to experience a shortage, Veaceslav Negruta, advisor to the president of Moldova on economic issues and a member of the Moldovagaz supervisory board, told journalists.

"The supplies of electricity that have begun from Romania will not be able to compensate in full for imports from Ukraine, which ended after October 11," Negruta said.

The 100 megawatts supplied from Romania cover around 22% of the 30% of energy needed, which Moldova previously received from Ukraine, meaning that Moldova is nevertheless experiencing a shortage of electricity, and it is necessary to resort to conserving it, he said.

"Imports from Romania up to 100 MW, it's the maximum volume of imports allowed that Moldova can count on under the rules of European power system ENTSO-E, with which it has recently synchronized," Negruta said.

"The parties may come to an agreement on raising it to 165 MW in the very near future," he said.

Moldovan state-owned company Energocom and Romania's Hidroelectrica concluded their first contract for the supply of electricity on October 13. Moldova will receive electricity at a rate of 90 euros per 1 megawatt-hour in line with the contract in order to compensate for 100 MW of lacking energy.