Moldova hasn't yet come to agreement with Gazprom on supplies in Dec - deputy PM
CHISINAU. Nov 8 (Interfax) - It is not yet clear whether Gazprom will supply gas to Moldova in December, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Andrei Spinu said.
"We still haven't received a response from Gazprom [on continuation of supplies in December]. We have various scenarios. We're currently counting on the 5.7 million cubic meters received daily being enough for November without having to take from reserves. And we can make a decision in December on partially using gas from the reserves, which total 157 mcm and are located in storage facilities in Romania and Ukraine," Spinu told journalists on Tuesday in response to a question on gas supplies and ways to overcome the energy crisis.
"I've made inquiries to Gazprom multiple times, but haven't received an answer. I can't force them to pick up the phone," he said.
Strict savings measures have had to be employed due to the 50% reduction in necessary gas supplies from Gazprom in November, Spinu said. Termoelectrica, which heats Chisinau and produces some electricity, is now fully operating on fuel oil. Moldovan GRES is not receiving gas and not producing electricity for the right bank of the Dniester.
The reserves of 157 mcm "will fully suffice for December and possibly for one week of January," he said.
"The Energocom company will continue to fill reserves, purchasing gas on the European market. The second tranche of a loan of 200 million euros from the EBRD [European Bank for Reconstruction and Development] will be provided soon, and we will increase the volume of purchases," Spinu said.
"Dialogue remains only at a technical level between Moldovagaz and Gazprom," Spinu said on the current relationship with the Russian party.
Spinu said in response to a question from a ProTV journalist on Monday on the possibility of filing a lawsuit against Gazprom that "such an option has not been ruled out as Gazprom has violated the provisions of the current contract."
"Gazprom has not explained its decision to reduce the volume of supplies for the country at all even though Chisinau always pays for them. Lawyers are analyzing the possibility of applying sanctions for infringement of contract as concerns the full volume of supplies. When it becomes clear, we'll decide what actions to undertake and in what direction to move," Spinu said.
Spinu said on social media on Tuesday that Moldova cut gas consumption 57% year-on-year last month and electricity consumption 14.25%.
Moldova is continuing to import more than 80% of the electricity it needs from Romania, and the electricity shortage will total approximately 8.2% on November 8, he said.
