The leader of the Transnistria administration Vadim Krasnoselsky on Thursday announced that new agreements were reached for the supply of gas to the region in March. He said that the gas will be delivered "in due time", IPN reports.

"The mechanism for the delivery of natural gas to Transnistria remains in force. The agreement for the next period has been concluded," wrote Krasnoselsky.

Moldovagaz acting CEO Vadim Ceban, confirmed this information and said that the gas will be delivered in March as well. He also said that all the previous supplies were in accordance with the concluded agreements.

Since February 14, the Hungarian company MET Gas and Energy Marketing AG has been delivering gas to the Transnistrian region, bringing it to the border with the Republic of Moldova. Payments are made through a company based in Dubai. From the border, the gas is transported to the region by Moldovagaz, with payment in advance.

Despite these agreements, the region continues to face an energy crisis. Daily supplies are 3 million cubic meters of gas, while consumption reaches 3.27 million cubic meters. The Transnistrian authorities call this difference a "loan" from Moldovagaz.

However, Moldovagaz rejected this formulation. Vadim Ceban said that it is not a loan, but a technical mechanism for balancing the gas transmission system.

Earlier, the National Commission for Emergency Situations of Moldova allowed to supply Tiraspol with 6 million cubic meters of gas on credit. The first 3 million cubic meters must be returned by March 1, and the following – by March 31. If the gas is not returned, it will have to be paid.

Economy suffers

Tiraspol does not have enough gas for industrial activities, which remain paralyzed. This has a direct impact on the economy: businesses cannot function, which means that the taxes from which salaries and pensions are paid do not reach the budget.

New charges

On March 1, new public utility charges will come into force in the region, which will be by 2-2.5 times higher compared to the current ones. The Transnistria administration said that all concessions for socially vulnerable groups will be preserved.

It also assured that the heating season will not be ended ahead of schedule, despite the shortage of gas. How the Transnistrian region will continue to be supplied with gas is not yet known. New agreements are needed for April and the following months.