Moldova faces energy crisis, fears Russian gas cut
Prime Minister Dorin Recean will ask Parliament on Thursday, December 12, to declare a 60-day state of emergency in the energy sector.
This follows a recommendation from the Commission for Exceptional Situations, which has assessed the risks posed by a potential Russian gas cutoff to the Transnistrian region starting January 1, 2025.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebrian warns that the upcoming energy crisis could be even more severe than the one in 2022. A potential gas supply cut by Gazprom could trigger an imminent humanitarian crisis in Transnistria and jeopardize electricity supply across Moldova, on both banks of the Dniester River.
Around 300,000 Moldovans in the region risk facing an unprecedented crisis, left without gas or electricity in the dead of winter.
The Transnistrian region's power plant, MGRES, has limited coal reserves that could only sustain the region's electricity consumption for 30 to 50 days. The quality of this coal is uncertain. Without MGRES, Moldova's electricity supply would heavily rely on imports from the ENTSO-E market, particularly Romania. However, Romania itself is facing electricity shortages, with imports covering up to 30% of its consumption.
Both banks of the Dniester River could face electricity shortages, with the Transnistrian region potentially consuming more electricity than it receives from Romania.
Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure further exacerbate the situation. Before the war, Moldova imported electricity from Ukraine.
The available legal tools and the capabilities of the Commission for Exceptional Situations are insufficient to address the potential crisis. A situation worse than 2022 could unfold, with both gas and electricity shortages affecting the Transnistrian region.
Transnistria has also declared a 30-day state of emergency. Its authorities are uncertain about future gas supplies from Russia.
The natural gas transit contract between Russia and Ukraine, which also covers supplies to Transnistria, expires on January 1, 2025. Ukraine has indicated it won't extend the contract, but a final decision is pending.
While Russia could supply gas to Moldova via alternative routes, Gazprom has not yet reserved capacity. The Russian energy giant is conditioning gas supplies on Moldova paying off a disputed $700 million debt, which the Moldovan government rejects.
Prime Minister Recean has reiterated Moldova's stance, refusing to recognize or pay the alleged debt.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
