Moldova seeks cheaper US gas; Ambassador Kulminski negotiates with producers
The Republic of Moldova is exploring the possibility of importing more liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, in an effort to diversify its supply sources and secure more favourable prices. The Republic of Moldova’s Ambassador to the US, Vlad Kulminski, held talks with American gas producers and exporters at an energy conference held in the state of Louisiana. These discussions come at a time when Moldovan consumers have been paying gas tariffs that are nearly 29 per cent higher since October, due to price rises on international markets.
The potential for increasing US gas supplies to the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine was discussed at the Americas LNG Summit, an event bringing together producers, energy companies and representatives of the liquefied natural gas industry. According to the ambassador, the discussions focused on both commercial opportunities and the establishment of long-term partnerships.
“At this conference, we spoke about the Republic of Moldova, our energy system and the opportunities to bring more American gas to Moldova and Ukraine,” said Vlad Kulminski in a video message posted on social media on 16 October.
The expansion of the United States’ LNG production and export capacities could provide the Republic of Moldova with access to more suppliers and the opportunity to negotiate more favourable commercial terms. The ambassador argues that the rapid development of the US industry is creating opportunities for countries seeking to reduce their dependence on limited supply sources.
“The US liquefied natural gas industry is enormous. It is growing very rapidly, attracting billions of dollars in investment and utilising increasingly advanced technologies. This opens up huge opportunities for our country to gain access to secure energy sources at competitive prices and without geopolitical conditions that run counter to our national interests,” the diplomat stated.
Discussions with representatives of US industry also focused on the possibility of establishing sustainable trade relations.
We point out that the price of natural gas has risen in the Republic of Moldova, against the backdrop of the international energy crisis and rising procurement costs. From 1 October, domestic consumers are paying 26.14 lei per cubic metre of gas, including VAT, compared with 20.30 lei previously. The tariff has risen by almost 29 per cent, following a decision approved by the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) on 28 September. A further price adjustment before the end of the year cannot be ruled out, given that developments on the international market remain unpredictable.
