Gas supplies to Transdniestria fall to critical level, large enterprises disconnected from gas supply
CHISINAU. March 5 (Interfax) - Gas supplies to Transdniestria have fallen to a critical level due to the military conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted supply and payment logistics, the press service for the unrecognized Transdniestrian Republic said, citing an emergency meeting with cabinet members held by Transdniestrian President Vadim Krasnoselsky on Thursday.
"The emergency meeting was necessitated by risks of a new spiraling of the energy crisis. The restrictions on natural gas supply are associated with the events in the Middle East, which have disrupted both supply and payment logistics," the press service said.
"The supply of natural gas was sharply reduced after March 3, the pressure in the grid decreased to critical levels, and Moldovan GRES switched to coal by 8:00 a.m. today," the press service said, citing Transdniestria's First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Obolonik.
Gas supply has been suspended not only to Moldovan GRES, but also to some large industrial enterprises, including Moldova Steel Works, the Ribnita Cement Plant, Tirotex, the Tiraspol Brick Factory, as well as the enterprises Tiraspoltransgaz, Benderyteploenergo, and Metal-Avto, it said.
The operation of 158 boiler stations was suspended on March 4, the press service said. "Heating is not being supplied to urban residential buildings (1,663 facilities) and educational establishments. The Education Ministry will make decisions on the organization of the educational process based on how the situation develops further. Classes in schools are continuing for now and the temperature in classrooms is around 19 degrees," the press service said.
Krasnoselsky "spoke about a recent decision to start taking measures as part of the so-called Plan A, which envisages moderate energy resource conversation," the press release said.
The administration of Transdniestria said earlier that Transdniestria was introducing tough gas rationing due to disruptions in the supply chain, which is managed by Hungary's MET Gas and Energy Marketing AG in collaboration with financial mediator companies, including those registered in the United Arab Emirates. The Transdniestrian administration said earlier that gas was being supplied to the region with financial support from Russia.
Hungary's MET has supplied gas to Transdniestria since February 2025 through Moldovagaz and then Tiraspoltransgaz, using technical and financial mediators. Moldovagaz ensures gas transit from the border with Romania to Transdniestria.
In August 2025, the Moldovan regulator in the energy sector revoked Moldovagaz's license to supply gas to right-bank Moldova, but granted the company authority to supply gas to the territory of the left bank from September 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026. On March 4, the regulator extended these powers by another three months to July 1, 2026.
