The Moldovan Thermoelectric Power Plant in the Transnistrian region (MGRES) will supply free electricity to the right bank from February 1-10 in the context of the implementation of the European support package, according to government spokesman Daniel Voda, and if a long-term solution is found, the energy costs will be adjusted, IPN reports.
"On the right bank, electricity costs will be adjusted, due to the fact that electricity, upon the implementation of this initiative, from February 1 to February 10, can be generated free of charge by MGRES. Here we come to counter those intentional and unintentional misinformation in the public space that the right bank would be paying twice for the electricity consumed. This is not true," said Daniel Voda at a press conference.
The government, together with the EU, is preparing a comprehensive assistance package for the next two years. There are two key components: investments in electricity generation and distribution to eliminate the risks of energy blackmail in the future and measures to reduce electricity tariffs for all Moldovan citizens.
Daniel Voda denied the information that it would be a return to the contract that Chisinau had with MGRES: "It was a fixed contractual relationship. Now the EU is coming with a €30 million grant, so that citizens on both banks of the Dniester will be beneficiaries of this program. The gas delivered to the left bank of the Dniester will be used for heating and domestic consumption. The gas delivered to MGRES will produce electricity for consumption on the right bank," said Daniel Voda.
According to Voda, as soon as the price of electricity drops to zero, the tariff is also likely to go down.
Moldovagaz has signed a contract with Tiraspoltransgaz to borrow 3 million cubic meters of natural gas. The loaned gas is to be repaid by March 1 this year or will have to be paid back. Technical details will be spelled out at a meeting announced for January 30.
