Andrei Spînu: We are also considering scenario of a halt in gas supplies from Gazprom as of May 1

18.03.2022 06:40
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As from May 1, Gazprom could halt the supply of natural gas for the Republic of Moldova, said Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Andrei Spînu. The scenario is possible as the audit that was to be conducted at Moldovagaz will not be completed by May and Moldova will not start to repay its debts, as it was agreed earlier. Andrei Spînu said representatives of Moldovagaz and those of the Government are making effort to persuade Gazprom to extend the May 1 deadline stipulated in the protocol, IPN reports.

In accordance with the additional protocol signed with Gazprom, the Moldovan side is to perform an audit of the historical debts of Moldovagaz based on which the debt repayment schedule is to be agreed. Representative of the Government noted the war in Ukraine keeps away foreign audit companies and these refuse to come to Moldova.

“A scenario is to agree another deadline. Another scenario is that Gazprom will decide to stop supplying gas to the Republic of Moldova and we will then have to buy gas from the market. We get ready for the second scenario too. We are empowering Energocom and are working on a bill. The EBRD in May will pronounce on the issue as we want to secure financial resources for being able to storea nd purchase gas. We will store gas in Romania,” Andrei Spînu stated in the talk show “Black Box” on TV8 channel.

Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu said the Republic of Moldova is preparing for a possible halt in the supplies from Gazprom and Energocom is to be authorized to purchase gas from the market.

“The Government next Wednesday will approve the bill to amend the gas law so as to introduce the obligation to store gas. In May, if the prices are appropriate, we could buy gas for ten days. If the prices are high, we will be able to purchase smaller amounts. In summer, there is usually enough gas and problems are generated not by the volumes but by the price,” noted Andrei Spînu.

Under the contract signed with Gazprom, Moldova by the date of 20 of each month must pay for the gas consumed the previous month and a 50% advance for the gas that is to be consumed that month. Andrei Spînu said the payments for March were made almost fully.