Gas supplies from Moldova to Transnistria, acquired with a €30 million EU grant, will take place from January 28 to February 10, announced the spokesperson for the Moldovan government, Daniel Vodă.
"Immediate and urgent intervention will occur from January 28 to February 10. The European Union has offered an emergency grant of €30 million to enable Energocom to purchase natural gas on the open market. The necessary amount will be delivered to the left bank of the Dniester through the state-owned enterprise 'Moldovagaz' to prevent a humanitarian disaster in the region, as well as to generate electricity for the right bank," said Vodă, as quoted by the state agency 'Moldpres'.
He reminded that the day before, the Moldovan government decided to loan Transnistria 3 million cubic meters of gas to maintain pressure in the gas system. "This measure ensures continuity until January 31, 2025," noted Vodă.
"If the left bank of the Dniester agrees to the assistance, this immediate delivery will be part of the EU aid package; otherwise, the 3 million cubic meters must be returned by March 1 or will be paid for by 'Tiraspoltransgaz' at the market price at which the gas was purchased by 'Moldovagaz'," explained the spokesperson.
He emphasized that the electricity generated at MoldGRES from gas purchased by Chișinău as part of the EU aid package should be supplied to the right bank free of charge. "The solution proposed by Chișinău and Brussels directly benefits the people - the cost of electricity on the right bank will be adjusted due to free electricity supplies from the Kuchurgan (Moldovan – IF-U) power plant during the period from February 1 to 10. Residents on the left bank will have heat and light starting February 1," said Vodă.
At the same time, he clarified that "the natural gas supplied in emergency mode is not intended for large industrial consumers, such as MMZ (Moldovan Metal Plant – IF-U) or cryptocurrency." The supplied volume will be limited to the consumption of gas and electricity for households, kindergartens, hospitals, schools, and essential businesses: bakeries and small enterprises.
Commenting on developments after February 10, Vodă noted that "after this date, the responsibility will lie with Tiraspol." "Both we and they understand that free gas no longer exists," he added.
Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean stated on Monday that the Hungarian company MOL plans to sign a contract for gas supplies to Transnistria. "We are discussing the terms for gas supplies to Transnistria from the Hungarian company through 'Moldovagaz'," he said.
The European Union has offered Moldova emergency financial assistance of €30 million for gas purchases for Transnistria, which has not been receiving Russian gas since the beginning of January. The gas purchased as part of the aid package can be used for generating electricity and heat for the Transnistrian region and electricity for the right bank.
The EU also supported the allocation of capacity along the entire route for gas supplies from Bulgaria and Romania to the entry points of the Moldovan gas transportation system.