The crux of the matter
Gas entering the Republic of Moldova via Ungheni crosses a border where two legal regimes apply.
The cross-border pipeline is operated by two different operators. The gas physically flows from one network to another, but the right to transport it is acquired, scheduled and accounted for in accordance with each operator’s rules.
The EU Network Codes are regulations that ensure these rules are identical on both sides: how capacity is sold, what happens to reserved and unused capacity, and how operators report data on gas volumes, pressure and quality.
What is happening now
In Romania, Transgaz has been fully implementing the EU network codes since 5 August 2026. Meanwhile, on the Moldovan side, the Energy Community Law makes the same rules mandatory only at the border with Ukraine.
How to rectify this
The Energy Community Regulatory Board (ECRB) adopted Opinion No. 02/2026 on 30 October, supporting the European Commission’s proposal to harmonise two aspects of the interconnector: the rules on capacity allocation, congestion management and data exchange between operators will apply at all points between the contracting parties and EU Member States.
For Moldova, the Iași-Ungheni interconnector is the only direct gas link with the European Union, and this decision will transform it from a border with partially shared rules into a route governed by a single set of rules.
The Energy Community’s Permanent High-Level Group (PHLG) will adopt the relevant decision on 23 November 2026.
This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.
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