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Romanian-Moldovan project of over 1 bln euros for installing hydropower stations on Prut River, discussed in Chisinau
The members of the Joint Committee for European Integration (CCIE) in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and in the Romanian Parliament discussed on Tuesday, in Chisinau, about a project to install 13 hydropower stations on the Prut River, a project that would cost over one billion euros.
The project was proposed by Florin Constantinescu, Deputy Speaker of the Romanian Senate and the co-chair of the CCIE. Constantinescu told the press that it is about a project developed in as early as 1989 by a design institute in Bucharest, and which provides for the construction of 13 hydropower stations. He said he had discussed about the project also during the visit the Moldovan Parliament's Speaker Igor Corman paid to Bucharest.
According to the Senate's Speaker, the project's cost exceeds one billion euros, and it would reach almost 2 billion euros if the Prut River is made navigable. He believes that this project could be funded under a public-private partnership or with European funds.
'It is a very important project for both countries. I think it is a good idea that must be promoted,' said Florin Constantinescu.
The Commission's Co-Chair representing the Moldovan Parliament is Ana Gutu, who welcomed the initiative, considering it extremely important in the context of the Republic of Moldova's démarches to ensure its energy security.
Currently, Romania and the Republic of Moldova are building a natural gas pipeline under the Prut, in the region of the city of Iasi and town of Ungheni, which will allow the gas supply to the neighbouring country. Moreover, the two countries have been discussing for some time the interconnection of their high-voltage power lines. The Republic of Moldova imports natural gas from Russia, and most of its electricity demand is covered from Ukrainian imports.