The extension of Iasi-Ungheni gas interconnector to Chisinau involves investments between EUR 110-150 million, depending on the transport capacity, according to preliminary estimates set out in an official document.
More specifically, to extend the transport capacity to 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year (171,000 cubic meters per hour) would require EUR 110 million. Increasing the capacity to 2.2 billion cubic meters per year (250,000 cubic meters per hour) would imply an investment of EUR 150 million, the document also reads.
The main works in Romania for the gas pipe between Romania and Moldova on the Iasi-Ungheni route were completed, the National Agency for Mineral Resources showed last month.
The construction of the 43 km Iasi-Ungheni gas interconnector was officially launched last year’s August with the financial support of the European Union and in the presence of European Commissioner for Energy Guenther Oettinger. This is the first and only direct gas pipeline connecting Moldova and the EU. The Ungheni-Iasi pipeline will have a maximum transportation capacity of 1 billion cubic meters /annually, covering around 1/3 of the gas consumption in Moldova. For the very first time in history, Moldova will be able to get gas directly from the EU and international markets. Until now, Moldova is 100 percent dependent on imported natural gas from Russia and has no domestic gas production.
The Commission has already approved a EUR 7 million grant in the framework of the EU European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument (ENPI) Cross-border Cooperation (CBC) Programme Romania-Ukraine-Moldova 2007-2013. The Romanian Government has also committed to assist Moldova with EUR 9 million. Total construction costs amount to EUR 28 million.