Moldovan gas market participants propose to start measuring gas in kWh

CHISINAU. Feb 9 (Interfax) - Moldovan gas market participants in propose to switch to kilowatt- and megawatt-hours for measuring natural gas, the press service of the national operator, Moldovagaz, said.

Moldovagaz said it, together with Energocom and gas transmission companies Moldovatransgaz and Vestmoldtransgaz would submit a joint request to the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) regarding the creation of a regulatory framework for the natural gas measurement unit to switch from cubic meters to kilowatt/megawatt-hours.

"This practice is widespread in the EU and ensures more accurate metering of gas at border interconnection points, on the wholesale market and in the gas distribution network, taking into account its current calorific value and other parameters," the company said.

Its implementation in Moldova will eliminate possible commercial discrepancies between the market participants, including tax and customs. The new rules should start to be implemented on July 1 this year. At the same time, these will not require replacing the gas meters, while consumption in kilowatt hours will be calculated according to a special formula.

Energocom chief Viktor Bynzar also said he thought the natural gas measurement system in Moldova should be changed.

"Now there is a lot of interest in the Trans-Balkan pipeline. Operators in Moldova must be more flexible. We must understand that the Moldovan market is not just Moldovagaz and Energocom, that other traders will use the country's gas system. That is why we intend to bring all our internal procedures into line with European standards," he said.

The company also proposes applying the procedure for storing gas based not on daily auction but at monthly auctions through the European platform RBP starting this March. This will streamline relations with SA Energocom, from which Moldovagaz buys natural gas.