Moldova reduces electricity imports from Ukraine by half

Chisinau, 24 November /MOLDPRES/ - Moldova reduced electricity imports by 1.9 times in the first nine months of 2014, according to the Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Ministry.

Moldova purchased 628.1 million kilowatt-hours in January-September, with 593.4 million less against the same period in 2013. Statistics provided by Kiev-based authorities reveal, however, that despite the considerable reduction in imports, Moldova remains the largest consumer of electricity after Hungary and Belarus.

Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Iurie Prodan explained that the substantial reduction in exports was due to the deficit in fuel used for producing electricity, primarily coal, at Ukrainian thermoelectric stations. 

Ukrainian electricity exports decreased by 26.8 per cent in September, a trend that also continued in October, and experts expect a further decline in exports. The procurement of electricity is carried out at the Ukrainian company DTEK Vostokenergo, which has signed a one year contract with Gas Natural Fenosa - Moldova.

According to the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), imports covered 83 per cent of Moldova’s electricity needs in nine months of this year.

Energy imports rose in January-September 2014 to over 2.4 billion kilowatt / hour, by 2.2 per cent more against the same period in 2013. This year, Moldova is buying electricity from Ukraine and the Central Cuciurgan Plant at a price of 0.068 dollars per kilowatt-hour, less than in the past two years, when it was 0.069 dollars.