Transnistrian region on the brink of energy collapse
The Transnistrian region has gas left for only a few days, and coal for power generation will be enough for two weeks at most. Therefore, a solution to the energy crisis must be found as soon as possible. The statement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebrian on Moldova 1's Scaner program. According to him, a decision must be taken regardless of whether Russia will resume gas supplies to the region.
"Together with Tiraspol, we have to find a solution within a week. They have to accept a solution, where the Russian factor will be completely absent," Oleg Serebrian said.
Transnistrian separatist leader Vadim Krasnoselski says the plant will run out of coal by February 17 to produce the electricity it needs for the left bank of the Nistru. But satellite images obtained by Free Europe suggest the plant will burn the coal faster.
Journalists analyzed a series of photos by the US company Maxar Technologies that suggest that about half of the pile of coal stored in the open near the main building of the Cuciurgan power plant in the city of Dnestrovsk disappeared by January 16.
According to Free Europe, the first photo shows the amount of coal before the gas crisis began and is dated October 8, 2024. The photo on the right is dated January 16. The lines visible in this picture, especially in the upper part, show that coal has been taken, in whole or in part, from those places.
We remind you that yesterday Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski said at a joint press conference with Head of State Maia Sandu that his country is ready to deliver "at a low price or even free of charge" the necessary volumes of coal to the Cuciurgan power plant to put an end to the energy crisis caused by Russia in the Transnistrian region and on the right bank of the Nistru.
Gazprom halted gas supplies to the Transnistrian region on January 1. The decision led to massive disconnections of gas, hot water and heating in most localities, including in the Security Zone, and fan-like disconnections of electricity.
After several weeks of categorically rejecting Chisinau's proposals for aid and assistance, the so-called Tiraspol administration has now taken a step back and declared that it is ready to purchase natural gas through Moldovagaz. The so-called Transnistrian leader, Vadim Krasnoselski, admitted that this is the only reliable solution to provide light, heat and gas to people's homes and social infrastructure.
