The Russian gas giant Gazprom can anytime terminate the contract with the Republic of Moldova but it does not do it as it can trigger a humanitarian crisis in the Transnistrian region, said energy expert Victor Parlicov. For his part, the expert of the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives “Viitorul” Veaceslav Ioniță said that to avoid such a gloomy scenario, if the gas supplies are fully halted by Gazprom, the official Chisinau should buy gas from the market and offer it to the left bank, while the population should have the gas rate partially subsidized, IPN reports.
Energy expert Victor Parlicov said the 30% reduction in the amount of natural gas supplied by Gazprom can affect the Kuchurgan power plant’s capacity to produce electricity. However, the Republic of Moldova can purchase electrical energy from Romania to satisfy its internal needs.
“There is uncertainty in Ukraine over the situation of the nuclear power plants. Besides experiencing problems with the Zaporizhzhia power station, they also need to repair another nuclear block and Ukraine therefore does not want to assume responsibilities after October 15. Purchasing power from Romania to cover what we will be unable to replace with internal production is a solution. We must be aware that if the left bank receives less gas because Gazprom supplies only 70% of the necessities, the Kuchurgan power plant will reduce the electricity supplies. Physically, the gas goes through the Transnistrian region first. Since May Gazprom has had legal arguments to terminate the contract but they do not do it as there is the Transnistrian factor and they could cause a humanitarian crisis there,” Victor Parlicov stated in the talk show “In Depth” on ProTV channel.
Economic expert Veaceslav Ioniță noted that if Gazprom fully stops the gas supplies, Chisinau can apply a reintegration mechanism, offering subsidies to the citizens from both sides of the Nistru. The citizens in the Transnistrian region will be unable to pay a gas rate of 30 lei per 1,000 cubic meters, while the separatist region’s budget will be unable to cope if there is no free gas from Gazprom.
“In the Transnistrian region, the cubic meter of gas costs 1.30 lei. Imagine what will happen if the rate there is 30 lei. Furthermore, their salaries are by 40% lower than on the right side. They will be unable to get subsidies as 40% of the budget of the Transnistrian region represents the money made through gas. We have 300,000 citizens on the left side of the Nistru, which is 10% of the population of the Republic of Moldova. Their payment capacity is lower. As the Republic of Moldova will receive financial support from the European countries, the gas price can be subsidized as not everyone on the left side of the Nistru is connected to the gas supply. This way, the Republic of Moldova will show unity. The legislation enables us to offer financial support to those from the left side of the Nistru. The partners will help us and a humanitarian catastrophe will be avoided,” stated Veaceslav Ioniță.
On September 30, Moldovagaz received confirmation from Gazprom for the supply of 5.7 million cubic meters of gas a day out of the necessary 8.06 million cubic meters a day (for both sides of the Nistru). The supplies were this way cut by 30%.
