Moldova will store 15% of the average annual consumption of natural gas, and over 30% of this quantity will constitute security stocks. Two decisions in this regard were approved today by the Cabinet, IPN reports.
According to calculations by the National Agency for Energy Regulation submitted to the Ministry of Energy, the total amount needed to store natural gas is 149.5 million cubic meters. Of these, 47.1 million cubic meters represent security stocks, which is equivalent to ten days of winter consumption. Previously, the security stocks covered eight days of domestic consumption.
The joint stock company Energocom will be responsible for concluding the necessary agreements and contracts with the operators of storage facilities and will keep separate records of the transactions performed to create and maintain security stocks. The company will purchase natural gas to fulfil the storage obligation through a competitive purchasing procedure, on trading platforms or through directly negotiated contracts, in case of exceptional circumstances.
According to the Ministry of Energy, gas volumes will be purchased by October 1 of each calendar year and will be stored in the reservoirs of EU member states or countries that form part of the Energy Community.
