Moldova could use supplies from Azerbaijan as an alternative to Russian gas, possibly at lower costs
From a technical point of view, the Republic of Moldova could use as an alternative to Russian gas, deliveries from Azerbaijan, maybe even at lower costs, about the energy expert Victor Parlicov. While in Baku last week, Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spanu discussed issues related to the energy security of Rep. Moldova with the Minister of Energy of this oil-rich state, Parviz Shahbazov, transmits Radio Chisinau.
Andrei Spinu attended the ministerial meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council at the end of last week, where he also discussed with the Azerbaijani official. The two also referred to the possibility of a collaboration between the Republic of Moldova and Azerbaijan regarding gas supplies, according to the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan, which mentions that a similar topic was addressed in the official discussions in Bucharest.
From a technical point of view, Rep. Moldova can import gas from Azerbaijan through pipelines through Turkey and southern Europe, says energy expert Victor Parlicov. According to him, from Turkey, gas can reach the Republic of Moldova through the Trans-Balkan pipeline, and the cost of extraction and transportation from Azerbaijan is quite low.
From Azerbaijan, the gas reaches Turkey, after which it enters the trans-Balkan gas pipeline and in reverse mode can be pumped to the Republic of Moldova, no problem. I do not know the prices, this is a matter of negotiation, but I assure you that both the costs of extraction and those of pumping and delivery to the border of the Republic of Moldova are less than $ 100 per thousand cubic meters. So the room for maneuver and political negotiation is very high.
We remind you that the Republic of Moldova imports gas from Russia, and its price has increased several times in the last year, in addition, Gazprom has tightened the requirements regarding payments.
The international press wrote that the Baku meeting was also attended by a European Union delegation to advocate for increased deliveries through the Southern Corridor, with a capacity of 10 billion cubic meters per year, to feed the state of Southern Europe Greece . and Italy.
The pipeline was completed in 2020, designed to reduce dependence on Russian gas.