Cuciurgan power station
| Cuciurgan power station | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Official name | Moldavskaya GRES |
| Country | Moldova |
| Location | Dnestrovsc, Transnistria |
| Coordinates | 46°38′3″N 29°56′20″E / 46.63417°N 29.93889°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Commission date | 26 September 1964 |
| Owner | Inter RAO |
| Thermal power station | |
| Primary fuel | Natural gas, fuel oil, coal |
| Power generation | |
| Units operational | 12 |
| Nameplate capacity | 2,520 MW |
| External links | |
| Website | moldgres |
| Commons | Related media on Commons |
The gas-fired Cuciurgan power station, the largest power station in Moldova, is located in Transnistria, on the shores of the Cuciurgan Reservoir bordering Ukraine. As of 2024 it generates over three quarters of Moldova's electricity.[1] Commissioned in 1964, it formerly burned some coal and fuel oil.[2]
Technical features
The power stations has installed capacity of 2,520 MW. It was originally fueled by natural gas, fuel oil and coal.[3] The plant produces some 75% of Moldova's electricity needs.[4] 51% owned by Inter RAO UES since 2005, in November 2008, Inter RAO UES and Moldelectrica signed an agreement to separate some power units in the power station from the IPS/UPS system and synchronize them with the synchronous grid of Continental Europe in Romania through the 400 kV Kuchurhan–Vulcănești and Vulcănești–Isaccea transmission lines.[5]
Operation
The power station is operated by Moldavskaya GRES, a 100% subsidiary of Russian owned Inter RAO UES.[6] It is the largest power company in an area comprising Moldova and southern Ukraine. The company exports power to Ukraine, Romania and Russia. It was privatized in 2004 by Transnistrian authorities, but official Moldova does not recognize this privatization.[7]
Debt liability
The Cuciurgan power station owes an estimated $9 billion to Gazprom in 2022 as it has not paid for gas usage for over 15 years.[8]
Planned termination of sales to Moldova
In November 2022 the power station ceased supplying Moldova with electricity after Russia reduced gas supplies.[9] Recommenced in early 2023, by May 2023 Moldova announced it would no longer be buying electricity from the Cuciurgan power station once a high-voltage power line from Romania is installed, scheduled for 2025.[10]
References
- ^ "Building a resilient and carbon-neutral energy system in Moldova" (PDF). UNICE. October 21, 2024.
- ^ "Technical-economic indicators regarding the activity of the operator of the transport system for the year 2021". ÎS Moldelectrica (in Romanian).
- ^ "Assets Management - Inter RAO UES". Inter RAO UES. Archived from the original on 2008-01-25. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
- ^ Russia's war in Ukraine could be bad news for Moldova's energy ambitions, DW.com, 2022-03-10, retrieved 2022-09-09
- ^ "Moldova and Russia agree to raise power exports to Romania". Reporter.md. Moldova.org. 2008-11-17. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
- ^ "Moldavskaya Gas Fired Power Plant, Moldova". 12 January 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ^ Moldovan Privatization Law Completion[permanent dead link] (in Romanian)
- ^ "Moldova Audit Reveals Fraud Worth 100 Million Euros at Moldovagaz". 26 January 2023.
- ^ "EU announces additional €200m energy support package for Moldova". 10 November 2022.
- ^ ""In 2025, we will cut off the "independence" of Transnistria due to non-payment. If Moscow doesn't do it earlier"". 26 June 2023.
