Transdniestria needs to develop alternative energy to get rid of dependence on external conditions - Transdniestrian leader
CHISINAU. Feb 17 (Interfax) - Transdniestria needs alternative sources of electricity and heat, which will be independent of external factors, leader of the unrecognized Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic Vadim Krasnoselsky said.
"The energy crisis has shown that Transdniestria needs alternative sources of electricity and heat that would be independent of external factors. We are talking specifically about solar panels, which, largely, have a good prospect in Transdniestria. One hectare of solar panels generates 1 MW of electricity. The entire Transdniestria needs 140-150 MW of electricity per day. This is 140-150 hectares of solar panels. Well, of course, there are certain engineering processes, but these options should be used in our daily life. The situation we had showed that," Krasnoselsky said at a meeting of the operational headquarters for crisis management in the energy sector on Monday.
The solid fuel boilers produced by the Tiraspol-based Electromash plant are also operating quite well, he said.
"Therefore, ministries, agencies, heads of state administrations should take measures to provide subordinate institutions with these boilers. This is a real way out of the situation. There are certainly some problems there, including boilermen, control and so on. It is a whole system, but in case of a critical situation, it is easier to address these issues than to find oneself without anything," Krasnoselsky said.
The gas is currently being supplied to Transdniestria normally, but it is insufficient, he said.
"The current gas daily consumption to supply the population and generate electricity for household needs stands at around 3 million cubic meters. There is not enough gas to supply hot water and run industrial enterprises in Transdniestria, but these problems will be addressed," Krasnoselsky added.
As reported, Transdniestria started receiving gas on Friday at the expense of a Russian loan and with the organizational support of the Russian Energy Ministry. The supplies are organized via a short-term agreement with MET Gas and Energy Marketing AG.
Gas supplies to Transdniestria were resumed from February 1 to February 10 at the expense of 20 million euros from the European Union after Russian gas supplies to the region were halted on January 1 amid Ukraine's denial to extend the transit agreement and a dispute over Moldovagaz's historical $709-million debt to Gazprom, which Moldovan authorities do not recognize. Moldovagaz supplied natural gas to Tiraspoltransgaz on February 11-13.
Krasnoselsky said that after February 10, gas for Transdniestria would be purchased at the expense of a Russian loan.
