Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu said the Republic of Moldova does not have any response from Gazprom as to the termination of the contract for the supply of gas as from May 1. As the actions of the Russian company are unpredictable, the Government is seriously preparing for the purchase of gas from alternative sources. If the Republic of Moldova is put in the situation to buy gas and electrical power at the market price, this will be the price of Moldova’s independence, IPN reports.
Under the additional protocol signed with Gazprom, until May 1 the Moldovan side is to carry out an audit of the historical debts owed by Moldovagaz to the Russian gas giant and a debt repayment schedule is to be agreed based on this. According to representatives of the Government, the war in Ukraine keeps foreign audit companies away and these do not accept to come to Moldova. As a result, Chisinau does not manage to obey the provisions of the contract. Andrei Spînu said Gazprom can end the contract.
“We do not assume the debts without an audit. As regards energy security, we do not risk remaining without gas or electricity after May 1. Even if Gazprom decides to terminate the contract, we will be able to purchase gas at the market price. We are now trying to find the cheapest and most suitable alternative. We sent a letter to Gazprom before the war and also after this started and asked the company to tell us clearly what they intend to do with the contract. If the contract is terminated, we will start to purchase gas from the market some time earlier and we should have received a clear response. Regrettably, we do not have a response and we are preparing for plan B,” Andrei Spînu stated in the talk show “Shadow Cabinet” on JurnalTV channel.
He anticipated that if Gazprom ends the contract, the Republic of Moldova will spend a lot to ensure its energy security, but Moldova should start to cope alone after tens of years of energy dependence on Russia.
“Everyone knows that the market price is high and, if we buy electrical energy and gas at the market price, this will be the price of the real independence of the Republic of Moldova. After what we saw in Bucha, Irpin and other cities of Ukraine, we can no longer be held hostage. It will be hard and we will have to economize and to allocate more in compensation to overcome the energy crises, but time came probably,” said Andrei Spînu.
March was the last month when the Government paid subsidies for natural gas to household users. From April 1, the citizens will pay the full gas rate of 15.08 lei, with VAT included.
