Ukrainian energy regulator proposes daily tariff for GTS Alexeyevka entry point with Moldova at $4.45 per 1,000M3

MOSCOW. June 15 (Interfax) - Ukraine's National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Public Utilities (NERC) has approved a draft resolution which sets a tariff for the Alexeyevka point of entry at interstate connection with Ukraine's Gas Transmission System Operator (GTS) at $4.45 per 1,000 cubic meters per day, excluding VAT.

"The draft aims to allow natural-gas market participants to use the Alexeyvka point for natural gas transit from Moldova to Ukraine, including storing natural gas at Ukrainian gas stores and potentially importing natural gas via Moldova's GTS," the regulator was quoted by the Ukrainian media as saying.

The draft, approved on Thursday, changes Annex 1 to a NERC resolution of December 24, 2019, "On setting tariffs for the Ukrainian GTS Operator on natural gas transport services at points of entry and exit during the 2020/2024 regulatory period."

The new resolution proposes setting a tariff for the Alexeyevka point of entry at a level matching current tariffs for gas transit for Ukrainian GTS entry points at inter-state connection with the Energy Community members, i.e. at $4.45 per 1,000 cubic meters a day.

"Further approval of this resolution will provide for a competitive market environment for the import of natural gas, diversify sources of natural gas, and would also foster Ukraine's energy security," NERC said.

For its part, Ukraine's GTS Operator said that, if adopted, the new resolution will expand Moldova's capacity to store gas in Ukrainian underground facilities and provide access to the European Union for gas import through Ukraine.

"The tariff will enable the use of one more point of interstate connection with Moldova. Both Ukraine and Moldova will benefit from it. Moldovan companies have already expressed interest in gas transit via Alexeyevka and having gas stored underground in Ukraine in the long term," the GTS operator's general director Dmitry Lipa was quoted by the media as saying.

Ukraine, in turn, could get more gas into its stores and import more gas from the south, he said.

"To all interested companies: the backhaul (a virtual reverse flow) service is now available at the Grebeniki and Alexeyevka points connecting with Ukraine's GTS. Being able to use one more point of connection would make Ukrainian-Moldovan cross-border gas trade more secure," the operator said.