The gas transmission network in Moldova will be operated by Vestmoldtransgaz, a company owned by Romanian gas transport system operator Transgaz and the EBRD, according to the Ministry of Energy in Chisinau.
The decision came after Moldovagaz, controlled by Gazprom, failed to fulfil the unbundling requirements. That led to the modification of the legislative framework in the country in order to ensure energy security and alignment with the EU normative framework.
To operate the gas transport system in Moldova, Vestmoldtransgaz signed a lease agreement with the owner of the network, Moldovatransgaz, a subsidiary of Moldovagaz. The contract must be approved by the Romanian National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) to enter into force.
Vestmoldtransgaz will lease and operate the gas transportation network for a period of five years. It will also take over, in turn, the ongoing maintenance contracts concluded by Moldovatransgaz, thereby ensuring the continuity of operational processes related to the natural gas transportation infrastructure.
