Moldovan gas transmission system operator Vestmoldtransgaz definitively certified in compliance with EU requirements

Chisinau, Aug 23 /MOLDPRES/- As of today, the operator of the natural gas transmission system of the Republic of Moldova Vestmoldtransgaz Ltd is definitively certified in accordance with the EU requirements.

The decision was approved by the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) and signifies the completion of a long process undertaken by the Republic of Moldova to ensure the independence of the natural gas transmission infrastructure in line with the EU requirements on common rules for the internal market in the natural gas sector.

The unbundling exercise was complex and took almost five years.

ANRE explained that with today's decision, the Republic of Moldova marks the completion of the certification process of transmission operators in the electricity and natural gas sectors, thus aligning with the requirements of integration into the EU energy market, which offers our country new opportunities for cross-border trade in wholesale energy products, competitive prices, security of supply and sustainable development of the entire energy sector.

According to ANRE, the final stage of the process was possible only after the entire natural gas transportation system was taken out of the effective control of Gazprom and handed over to Vestmoldtransgaz, a company owned by S.N.T.G.N. TRANSGAZ (Romania).

The Agency found the full independence of Vestmoldtransgaz from the direct or indirect control of persons who would simultaneously control natural gas production or supply activities. The capacity of Vestmoldtransgaz to manage the operational activity of natural gas transmission throughout the territory of the Republic of Moldova was also verified and analyzed, through the availability by the operator of the financial, technical, physical and human resources necessary to fulfill the functions and obligations set by the Community and national legislation.