Parlicov: More Chances to Sign a Contract with Cuciurgan Power Station for a Longer Period

The contract for the purchase of electricity from the Cuciurgan power plant may be extended for a longer period, Energy Minister Victor Parlicov has said. Chisinau is currently negotiating with Transnistria on this matter, and the purchase price is also discussed. “We have been negotiating for some time. I have already clearly formulated the positions. I think the chances of signing a new contract and having a stable price for a longer period are higher. They are higher than the chances of just not signing it. But for sure there are tensions in everything that concerns the price, and we are discussing it,” the energy minister said. The contract with Cuciurgan power station expires on 30 September. All of Gazprom’s gas goes to the Transnistrian region, while the Central Station provides electricity to the right bank of the Dniester. Currently, the right bank purchases electricity from this power plant in proportion to 90% of its energy needs at a price of $66 per MWh. The rest of the required volume is purchased from renewable energy producers or through OPCOM, the operator of the electricity and natural gas market in Romania. In exchange for a favorable electricity price, the Commission for Emergency Situations offers Ribnita Steel Works an environmental permit. However, the authorities have recently stated that the extension of the environmental license for the plant is no longer an important part of the negotiations, as the company complies with Moldovan legislation.