Photo: Getty images
On Saturday, 1 February, Moldova supplied gas to unrecognised Transnistria for the first time since the beginning of the year. Moldovagaz sent 3 million cubic metres of fuel to the region, the first delivery since the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine on 1 January. Reuters reports this with reference to official statements.
According to Moldovagaz CEO Vadim Ceban, these supplies are necessary to support the operation of the Transnistrian gas transmission system, which is already facing a critical shortage of natural gas.
Due to the energy crisis, in early January, the Tiraspol administration was forced to completely stop the supply of hot water for heating and domestic needs, and gas was used exclusively for cooking. Around 500,000 residents of the region faced interruptions in the supply of heat and electricity.
Previously, Transnistria received gas free of charge from Russia’s Gazprom, but it was transported through Ukraine. After the end of the gas contract between Kyiv and Moscow on 1 January , Ukraine refused to resume transit, which caused serious problems in the region.
Unlike the unrecognised republic, official Moldova managed to avoid energy crises by securing gas and electricity imports from Romania.
Moldovagaz and Tiraspoltransgaz signed a 3 million cubic metre ‘ gas loan’ agreement to temporarily support the supply system. However, the future of the region’s gas supply remains in doubt, as no long-term solutions have been proposed.
