Electricity import from Romania higher in December, as MGRES operates with two power blocks

Chisinau, Dec. 20 /MOLDPRES/- The import of electricity from Romania is higher in December 2024, because the Moldovan thermoelectric power plant, MGRES, operates with two power blocks. State secretary of the Ministry of Energy Constantin Borosan made the statement today.

Borosan explained that the operation of MGRES with three blocks generates excess electricity at night. Previously, this excess electricity was consumed at the MMZ metallurgical plant and in this way the system was balanced. However, now this is no longer possible because due to the Russian bombing of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the 330 kV Podolsk power station in Ukraine, which technologically supplies two 330 kV power lines to the metallurgical plant, was damaged.

"The Russian Federation's bombing of Ukraine's energy infrastructure at the end of November has heavily and particularly damaged the adjacent infrastructure of the Republic of Moldova, power stations, power lines. And one of the power stations which is not in operation is the one in Podolsk, from which two high-voltage lines used to supply the metallurgical plant. When MGRES usually operates with three power blocks, the excess energy created at night was taken over by the metallurgical plant. Now it is not possible because the lines are affected. So, you can't deal with this excess electricity from MGRES. Under these conditions, two power blocks are operating at full capacity, which covers about a third of our consumption needs. The rest we already purchase in a larger proportion from the Romanian OPCOM exchange," Borosan said at a TV show.

The official said that especially during peak hours, in the morning between 07.00 and 11.00, and in the evening between 18.00 and 22.00, the prices on the exchange are the highest. In this context, he urged the citizens to use electricity rationally and apply measures to save it.