Moldovan gas transmission system operator Vestmoldtransgaz certified to EU requirements
CHISINAU. Aug 23 (Interfax) - Moldovan gas transmission system operator Vestmoldtransgaz has been certified in accordance with the EU Independent System Operator model, the Moldovan National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) said, with reference to the agency's Administration Council, which issued the final decision on the certification on Friday.
"Today's decision marks the end of a long process undertaken by the Republic of Moldova to ensure the independence of its natural gas transmission infrastructure, in line with the EU Directive on common rules for the internal natural gas market," ANRE said.
The certification and unbundling process took nearly five years.
"The final stage of the certification process was reached only after removing the entire natural gas transportation system from the effective control of Gazprom and transferring the system to the operation of the TSO Vestmoldtransgaz, owned by Transgaz, the national gas transmission company of Romania," the agency said.
During the certification procedure, the Agency found Vestmoldtransgaz to be fully independent from the direct or indirect control of persons who would simultaneously control the production or the supply of natural gas.
"Today's decision marks the completion of the certification process of the TSOs in the electricity and natural gas sectors. Thus, the Republic of Moldova aligns itself with the requirements of integration into the European Union's energy market, which offers the country new opportunities for cross-border trade, competitive prices, security of supply and a sustainable development of the entire energy sector," the agency said.
Vestmoldtransgaz received the functions of Moldovan gas transmission system operator from Moldovatransgaz in September 2023 under a five-year lease based on an order from the government's Emergency Situations Commission. Moldovatransgaz's license for natural gas transportation was revoked following a decision by ANRE. Moldova's obligations under the EU's Third Energy Package involve unbundling gas supplies, transportation and distribution.
Moldovatransgaz is subsidiary of Moldovagaz, a Russian-Moldovan company founded in 1999. Russia's Gazprom owns 50% of Moldovagaz, the Moldovan government holds 35.33% and the Transdniestria Property Management Committee has 13.44%.
Vestmoldtransgaz operates the gas pipeline connecting Moldova and Romania from Iasi in Romania via Ungheni to Chisinau. It was established in 2014 and sold to Eurotransgaz, a subsidiary of Romanian state company Transgaz, in 2018. The company's owners at present are Transgaz with 75% and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development with 25%.
