Moldova announces emergency measures as Gazprom to halt gas supplies

Moldova announces emergency measures as Gazprom to halt gas supplies
Moldova's Commission for Exceptional Situations has approved measures to reduce electricity consumption starting January 1. / gov.md
By bne IntelliNews December 29, 2024

Russia’s state-owned energy giant Gazprom has announced it will cease gas deliveries to Moldova from January 1. Gazprom claimed in an online statement that Moldova owes $709mn for past gas supplies, a figure disputed by Moldova’s government, which says an international audit found the actual debt to be under $10mn. 

The gas cutoff will halt operations at the Kuciurgan power plant, Moldova’s largest energy supplier, located in the separatist, pro-Russian Transnistria region. The power plant supplies electricity to the whole of Moldova. 

Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean condemned Gazprom’s decision, accusing Moscow of using energy as a weapon.

“Today Gazprom announced that will cease natural gas deliveries to Moldova’s left bank as of 1 January 2025. This is not an energy crisis—it’s a deliberately induced security crisis. [The] Kremlin leaves people in the Transnistrian region without power & heating in the middle of winter,” Recean wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on December 28. 

“[The Moldovan government] is thoroughly examining all legal options, including international arbitration, to protect Moldova’s national interests and to seek compensation for the economic damage and security threats caused by Russia’s actions,” the prime minister added.

In anticipation of the cutoff of gas supplies, Moldova’s parliament declared a state of emergency in the energy sector earlier in December. 

The Commission for Exceptional Situations has now approved measures to reduce electricity consumption starting January 1, a government statement said on December 27. 

This includes cutting lighting in public buildings by at least 30%, limiting escalator use, and shifting energy-intensive industrial operations to off-peak hours.

Local administrations have also been instructed to prioritise alternative energy sources, such as biofuels, and to facilitate the placement of temporary electric generators where needed. Exports of domestically produced electricity will be suspended during peak hours. The measures aim to mitigate the impact of reduced energy supplies, particularly on vulnerable consumers.

The natural gas supply and distribution company in Moldova, Moldovagaz, announced in mid-December that it already purchased 747.9mn cubic metres (7.95 TWh) of natural gas, mostly from the Romanian Commodities Exchange East during August-December, thus covering the entire natural gas demand for the entire winter period until the end of March 2025.

Transnistria prepares for blackouts

Transnistria, a breakaway region unrecognised by most countries, declared its own state of emergency earlier this month, citing fears of gas shortages.

The separatist authorities have been preparing for potential rolling blackouts. Plans include setting up warming centres with hot meals, stockpiling firewood, and ensuring emergency medical care.

Russian spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on December 18 that Moscow will protect its citizens and peacekeepers stationed in Transnistria, without explaining whether Gazprom would send gas to Transnistria through routes other than across Ukraine.

Moldova, home to 2.5mn people, was once entirely dependent on Russian gas but has worked to diversify its energy sources since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

Moldova’s pro-EU stance, reinforced by President Maia Sandu’s reelection this autumn and a referendum backing EU integration, has drawn repeated criticism from Moscow, which has been accused of meddling in the recent elections.

Gazprom’s move follows similar gas cutoffs to other European countries, which European leaders have described as blackmail in retaliation for support to Ukraine. Moldova and its Western allies accuse Russia of exploiting energy supplies to destabilise the region.

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