Ukraine intends to raise electricity tariffs for Moldova in 2009 so they would equal the tariffs for the countries of Eastern Europe.
Deputy Fuel and Energy Minister Volodymyr Luchnykov made this statement for the press in Odesa, answering the question about Ukraine's plans on exporting electricity to Moldova.
"We are proceeding with exporting electricity to Moldova, because Ukraine inherited from the Soviet Union an interconnected network of high-voltage power lines. Ukraine's high-voltage system cannot function in isolation from Moldova. It is redundant to say that Moldova cannot manage without Ukraine's high-voltage power system. It will be left without electricity generation at all," Luchnykov argues.
He went on to say that Ukraine by exporting electricity to Moldova implements the arrangements reached before.
The export volume accounts for 200 million kWh per month.
According to Luchnykov, the tariffs for electricity exported to Moldova will be raised.
"I cannot announce the revised tariffs because I would abuse commercial interests of the companies involved. However, I can assure you that the rise in tariffs will be substantial, and the rise is planned not for this year alone but for the next year as well," Luchnykov said.
The Energy Ministry official explained that for the past fifteen years of Ukraine's independence, the electricity price for Moldova was low. It was historically predetermined because Ukraine had vast internal debts, and it needed Moldova's cash money paid.
"We could not settle the tariff issue because of Odesa region's dependence on Moldovan high-voltage power transmission lines. Today this hindrance is removed. Next year the electricity tariffs for Moldova will be raised, so they will equal with tariffs for Eastern European countries," Luchnykov said.
Luchnykov emphasized that in case Moldova, due to any reasons, disconnects Odesa region from its power circuits, the Bolhrad-Budzhak-Reni and the Artsyz-Bolhrad high-voltage power lines will provide South of the region with electricity from Ukrainian high-voltage power systems.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Odesaoblenerho power supplying company commissioned a high-voltage power transmission line Bolhrad-Budzhak-Reni in Odesa region.
The State Property Fund owns 25.01% of the shares in Odesaoblenerho (these shares are managed by the Energy Company of Ukraine national joint-stock company), V.S. Energy International Ukraine LLC 44%, V.S. Energy International N.V. (the Netherlands) 11.16%, Foster Group Management (Bahamas) 5.41%, the rest belong to physical and legal entities.
