Moldovan Economics Ministry hosts presentation of feasibility study on Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline construction

Chisinau, 29 July /MOLDPRES/ - The first results of a feasibility study on construction of the Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline was presented at a workshop today, organised by the Economics Ministry. The study’s development is scheduled to be completed by late 2015, with the signing of a credit agreement between Moldova and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

”In the present geopolitical and regional conditions, the Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline becomes a strategically important project for the national economy. Given this desideratum, I want to assure you that the Economics Ministry will actively contribute to implementing all actions related to the implementation of this project,” Deputy Economics Minister Valeriu Triboi said.

The Economics Ministry’s press service specifies that, at the workshop, preliminary results as to social and environment impact, which is an important element of the feasibility study, were unveiled. The sides agreed to speed up the completion of the feasibility study and the launch of the construction works, so that the project be finished by the end of 2017.

Attending the event were representatives of EBRD, European Investment Bank (EIB), Swedish and Romanian embassies in Moldova, as well as of the European Commission.

To expand the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline up to Chisinau, with a length of about 100 de kilometres, 70-100 million euros in investments are necessary, of which 10 million will be earmarked by the European Union. A part of the money will be provided as credits, especially from the EU’s financing institutions – the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and European Investment Bank. The 2015 state budget law stipulates 300 million lei for „Construction of gas supply pipe on direction Ungheni – Chisinau." The gas pipeline’s capacity will be of 1.5 billion cubic meters per year, more than the present consumption of Moldova.

The Romania gas supplies via the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline have started on 4 March. In 2015, Moldova will import 1 million cubic meters of gas, which will provide with gas over 10,300 consumers from the western Ungheni district and a part from Nisporeni district.

(Reporter V. Bercu, Editor M. Jantovan)