EU Supports Moldova with 30 Million Euros for Gas Supplies to Transnistria Amid Energy Crisis

Today, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean announced that the European Union will provide financial support of 30 million euros for the purchase and transport of natural gas to the breakaway region of Transnistria

This measure comes as tens of thousands of residents in Transnistria have been left without gas and heating since January 1, after Gazprom suspended deliveries, citing a debt of 709 million dollars, which the government in Chișinău does not recognize. (reuters.com)

In addition to the EU financial support, the Moldovan government has approved the transfer of 3 million cubic meters of gas to Transnistria. Furthermore, the Hungarian company MOL intends to sign a contract with Moldovagaz to supply gas to the Transnistrian region.

The gas will be used for electricity production at the Cuciurgan thermal power plant, which supplies both government-controlled areas and local consumers in Transnistria from February 1-10. (reuters.com)

Meanwhile, the Moldovan government and the European Union are working on a two-year aid package to strengthen the country’s overall energy resilience. (reuters.com)

These actions reflect the efforts of authorities in Chișinău and European partners to manage the energy crisis and support the affected population in the Transnistrian region.

Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean’s Statement:

“Today, we presented a new solution developed in collaboration with the European Commission in response to the crisis caused by Gazprom’s unjustified suspension of natural gas deliveries to the Transnistrian region.

The Republic of Moldova will benefit from a support package from the European Union, consisting of three major components:

1. Immediate support: Today, with EU assistance, we will approve a loan to immediately provide a volume of 3 million cubic meters of gas to the left bank of the Dniester. This measure is necessary to maintain the critical pressure in the pipelines located in the Transnistrian region, ensuring the distribution network remains functional at least until January 31, 2025.

2. Emergency assistance for the period of February 1-10: The European Union is allocating €30 million as a grant to procure the natural gas needed for the Transnistrian region’s consumption and for the production of electricity at the Cuciurgan Power Plant, ensuring free energy supply to the right bank.

3. Comprehensive energy resilience program for the next two years: Investments in energy production and distribution infrastructure and the reduction of electricity tariffs for all citizens of the Republic of Moldova.

This is our offer to the Transnistrian region to prevent a humanitarian crisis. Since January 1, Russia has deliberately left over 350,000 citizens on the left bank of the Dniester in the cold and dark. However, the Government, together with European and Ukrainian partners, has found solutions to protect all citizens. The European Union is once again proving to be a reliable partner for the Republic of Moldova. In the long term, this agreement also means lower utility bills for citizens on the right bank oft he Dniester.”