Moldovan Energy Ministry proposes discussion with Gazprom on gas supplies to Transdniestria if transit via Ukraine ends

CHISINAU. Nov 8 (Interfax) - Moldova wishes to discuss the supply of natural gas to Transdniestria if transit via Ukraine is cut off on January 1, 2025, with Gazprom in advance, Moldovan Energy Minister Victor Parlicov said.

"We've taken one more step towards uncertainty. In early November, tenders were held to reserve capacity for pumping via the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline from Turkey to Moldova, but no one reserved the required volumes. This means that Gazprom currently has no reserved capacity on the alternative route. An auction for reserving capacity in January will be held in December. If no reservations are made there either, then on December 31 we'll find out if the contract is signed, if transit will continue, and what form it will proceed in," Parlicov said on the Rlive TV channel.

"Moldovagaz has sent a letter to work out what we will do if there won't be transit through Ukraine. We haven't received a response yet. I would like to get that response," he said, emphasizing that Gazprom still has contractual obligations to supply gas to Moldova.

The Moldovan government approved a plan to prepare for the 2024-2025 heating season at the start of October. It stipulates maintaining required reserves of natural gas, diversifying sources of supply, and using alternative types of fuel. The document outlines measures to ensure the country's energy security amid the risk of Gazprom's supply of natural gas being cut off.

Gazprom is expected to continue supplying 5.7 million cubic meters of gas per day to Transdniestria, as stipulated by the contract, including for electricity production. However, there is a risk that Russian gas transit through Ukraine may cease on January 1, 2025.

If this occurs, Moldova is considering various options for supplying gas to the left bank of the Dniester river and providing electricity to the right bank.

It also assumes that if Russian gas supplies cease, "almost all electricity will have to be purchased from suppliers other than the Moldavskaya GRES power station, which could pose certain risks to the stability of Moldova's energy system (right bank), as well as risks related to import route capacities," the document said.