Energy minister in Bucharest: Moldova enters winter with over 90% of gas needs secured

The Republic of Moldova enters winter 2025-2026 with over 90% of its gas needs already secured, thanks to proactive policies of source diversification, safety storage, and regional cooperation. Our country has diversified supply sources, modernized infrastructure, and made decisive steps towards integration into the European energy market. Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu made the statements today. He attended the Ministerial Meeting of the Central and South Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity High-Level Group (CESEC), held in Bucharest.

The event brought together energy ministers, representatives of the European Commission, and regional transmission system operators (TSO) to discuss market challenges and common solutions regarding the integration of regional natural gas and electricity infrastructures in the context of the REPowerEU initiative.

The discussions focused on solutions for better infrastructure usage and tariff coordination among participating countries, noting that in the CESEC region, a significant portion of the transport capacity along the Trans-Balkan Corridor remains underutilized despite the growing demand for south-to-north gas flows towards Ukraine.

Junghietu reiterated Moldova's commitment to CESEC and REPowerEU objectives, emphasizing our country's active role in developing the Vertical Gas Corridor — Greece–Bulgaria–Romania–Moldova–Ukraine — a European project of vital importance.


"Through our integration into the Vertical Corridor, Moldova has direct access to gas from the Caspian Sea and LNG terminals in Greece, strengthening not only the country's energy security but also regional stability," Junghietu said.


He also highlighted that Moldova played a key role in promoting the regional capacity product "Route 1," a coordinated cross-border transport tool that directs gas flows directly to Ukraine through the existing infrastructure in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova.

According to the official, Moldova extended the product's usage period from November 2025 to April 2026, applying a 50% reduction on transport tariffs charged by Vestmoldtransgaz at the Căușeni and Grebenyky interconnection points. Additionally, the product provides a transport tariff reduction of 25% in Greece and Bulgaria, 50% in Romania and Moldova, and 46% in Ukraine, provided the gases are transported through a series of dedicated points directly to Ukraine's underground storage facilities.


"Through this mechanism, we not only support Ukraine in securing its gas stocks for winter in a difficult security context, but also create commercial opportunities for operators in Moldova and across the region," explained the energy minister.


The Central and South Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity High-Level Group (CESEC) initiative is a cooperation platform launched by the European Commission to accelerate the integration of energy markets in the region and improve interconnectivity among EU member and neighboring states. Moldova has actively joined these efforts, strengthening its position as a bridge between Southeastern Europe and Ukraine in implementing the REPowerEU objectives, the EU plan launched in 2022 in response to the energy crisis caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine.