Moldova Imports Trial Batch of Liquefied Gas from the USA
Moldova's energy company Energocom announced on April 1st the beginning of importing the first trial volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States of America. This was reported by the Moldovan publication Newsmaker.
Energocom's Chairman, Viktor Brynzar, stated that on April 1st and 2nd, Moldova will receive 14,000 megawatt-hours of natural gas daily from the Greek port of Alexandroupolis. "This is equivalent to 2.6 million cubic meters of gas at a competitive price. If we reach an agreement to extend cooperation, we will inform the citizens," added Viktor Brynzar.
He emphasized that LNG transportation is a good alternative to Russian gas. "Gas is liquefied at low temperatures, transported by sea, and then regasified. Diversifying gas sources will further strengthen Moldova's energy security," explained Energocom's Chairman Viktor Brynzar. He also mentioned that the contract for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine expires at the end of 2024, and the Ukrainian government has declined negotiations for its extension.
In 2023, the Greek company DEPA won several state tenders to supply gas to Moldova for both current consumption and storage purposes. On November 30 of that year, Energocom and DEPA signed a memorandum of understanding, expressing readiness to enhance cooperation in natural gas supplies, including LNG.
It is also worth noting that on March 29, construction began on a 400 kV air transmission line from Vulcanesti to Chișinău in Moldova, aimed at reducing Chișinău's dependence on electricity from the occupied Transnistria region, which is under Russian occupation.
Earlier, The Gaze reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky approved the appointment of former Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council Oleksiy Danilov as the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Moldova.
"Oleksiy Danilov will continue his diplomatic work, including his appointment as the new Ambassador of our state to the Republic of Moldova. He shared his vision for further work for the benefit of Ukraine with me. Moldova is an extremely important country for us, both in terms of security challenges in the region and our bilateral cooperation," said Volodymyr Zelensky.
Oleksiy Danilov served as the 13th Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, holding the position from October 3, 2019. He was succeeded by Oleksandr Lytvynenko, the former head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, appointed by the President of Ukraine.