Energy minister says Moldova expresses intention to participate in construction of new unit at Cernavoda nuclear power plant of Romania

Moldova has expressed its intention to participate in the construction of a new unit at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant of Romania. Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu has made statements to this effect, noting that discussions were in the early stages.

"As for the Nuclearelectrica, talks are underway to purchase additional electricity from there. There are negotiations, contractual discussions between companies. And accordingly, yes, Moldova has also expressed its intention to participate in the other unit at Cernavoda. The discussions are in the early phase and we need to find a way to finance this participation, but the initiative is very important, especially since the nuclear energy is a safe and clean energy," Dorin Junghietu said in an interview for RFI.

The minister specified that Moldova currently purchases electricity "at market price" from Romania, including from Nuclearelectrica, which operates the nuclear plant at Cernavoda.

"Moldova purchases electricity from Romania at market price. It is true that until July 1, Moldova benefited, like the final consumers in Romania, from capped prices. After July 1, when the market was liberalized in Romania, Moldova also purchases electricity at market price. So, no company in Romania sells energy to Moldova at a preferential price. There are bilateral contracts which end with negotiations, but we do not receive free energy. This is false," said the Moldovan energy minister.

Starting from January 1, 2025, the right bank of the Dniester has no longer been receiving electricity from the Kuchurgan Power Plant, after the Russian company Gazprom ceased natural gas deliveries to Moldova. Under these conditions, consumption is covered from domestic sources and imports.