The Hungarian company MOL is planning to sign a contract for gas supplies to Transnistria, reported Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean during a briefing on Monday.
"The company 'Moldovagaz' has received a request from the Hungarian firm MOL to undergo the standard 'Know Your Customer' procedure, which is customary in the entire energy community (providing information about the company's activities before any transaction – IF-U). This concerns the discussion of conditions for gas supplies to Transnistria from the Hungarian company through 'Moldovagaz'," the Prime Minister stated.
According to him, a draft of the future contract has also been presented, but more detailed information will be announced later.
He noted that Chisinau had rejected several contracts previously proposed by the Transnistrian side for gas supply to the region. "Previously, several contracts were proposed, which Chisinau rejected due to non-compliance with national legislation and international standards," the Prime Minister said.
It was reported that Moldova is providing Transnistria with a loan of 3 million cubic meters of gas to maintain pressure in the gas pipeline, which will give Tiraspol a reprieve until January 31.
Additionally, the European Union has expressed its readiness to provide a grant of 30 million euros to purchase gas for Transnistria for the period from February 1 to 10. In exchange, the left bank (Transnistrian region) must ensure electricity supplies to the right bank at pre-crisis prices ($66 per MWh). It was noted that, thanks to funding provided under this emergency plan, Moldova could buy gas from suppliers in Ukraine and on the European market.
Furthermore, another part of the EU's anti-crisis package for Moldova includes the implementation of a comprehensive program to enhance the country's energy resilience over the next two years. This program includes investments in energy infrastructure to increase generation capacity and reduce tariffs for citizens. Recean stated that the program is still being finalized, and details will be presented in the coming weeks.
Supplies of Russian gas to Transnistria ceased on January 1, 2025, after Ukraine halted the transportation of Russian gas through its own gas transportation system. Against this backdrop, "Gazprom" limited gas supplies via Moldova to zero cubic meters per day, citing Moldova's historical debt for gas supplies.
The authorities of Moldova do not acknowledge the existence of a debt to "Gazprom" amounting to $709 million; however, the management of "Moldovagaz" confirms that it exists. The gas supply contract between "Gazprom" and its subsidiary "Moldovagaz" is effective until October 2026. There is a technical possibility for gas supplies to Transnistria through Moldova via the Trans-Balkan gas corridor.
Since December 10 of last year, an economic state of emergency has been in effect in Transnistria, and since December 16 in right-bank Moldova.
The head of Transnistria was in Moscow from January 10 to 14, where he discussed with the Russian Ministry of Energy the possibilities of resuming gas supplies to the region in the near future as "humanitarian aid."