Government assures situation is under control

The situation in Moldova’s energy sector is under control. The gas reserves for supplying the consumers are enough for at least 24 hours. The statements were made by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Trade Igor Dodon at the meeting of the National Commission for Emergencies. According to a communiqué from the Government’s press service, Igor Dodon said that even if the gas supplies have been stopped, the reserves in the gas pipelines in southern Moldova would be sufficient for another 6-7 days. In northern and central Moldova and in the municipality of Chisinau the consumers will be supplied with gas from the reserves in pipes for 24 hours more. The First Deputy Prime Minister said that Moldova could obtain an additional 300 cubic meters of gas per hour through the Ananiev-Cernauti-Pogoroceni pipeline. This gas would allow extending the ordinary schedule of supplying gas to domestic consumers. At the same time, in order to save the natural gas reserves, the Government took measures to provide the country’s thermoelectric plants with crude oil so that they could continue working on this type of fuel. The gas supplies to companies that are not involved in production or have debts for gas were limited. Dionisie Antocel, the director of the major heat supplier in Chisinau SA Termocom, said that the company reached an understanding with the thermoelectric plants over reducing the temperature of heat down to 60 degrees Celsius and halting the hot water supply. This will enable to save 10% of the used gas. The pumping stations that will shift to crude oil will save another 10,000 cubic meters of gas per hour. The Commission for Emergencies ascertained that the domestic consumers, the social, medical and education institutions, the National Army units and the border guards have not been yet affected by the gas crisis. All the hospitals, kindergartens, schools and social institutions are supplied with fuel for heating in the necessary amounts. Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanyi said that she is permanently in contact with the Ukrainian and Russian authorities and monitors the talks between the two sides over the resumption of the natural gas supplies. Igor Dodon also said that there are no shortages of electric power in the country and no risks of disconnections.