Moldova may again start using Gazprom gas for internal needs after heating season

CHISINAU. Jan 18 (Interfax) - Moldova may again start using gas supplied by Gazprom for internal purposes after the heating season, Moldovan Energy Minister Victor Parlicov said.

"Everything depends on the price. Moldovagaz is now buying gas from the state company Energocom, despite the contract with Gazprom. We have calculated that it is more profitable to send the gas volume supplied by Gazprom, 5.7 million cubic meters a day, to the Transdniestrian region to receive cheaper electrical power. The situation may change after the heating season, everything depends on the price and volumes. [...] I don't see a problem in this," Parlicov said on a live program on a Moldovan TV channel.

Moldova will be looking to buy gas at the best prices, he said.

Responding to questions about the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, he said a lot also depends on the European Union's position.

"The EU has not imposed sanctions against Russian gas yet. Gas is going in transit through Ukraine. This situation is expected to continue at least until 2027. In this case, if Ukraine doesn't want to sign contracts on gas transit with Gazprom, contracts on transit can be signed with companies that buy gas from Gazprom. Transit will then continue, including to Moldova. It is obvious, however, that the era of free Russian gas for Transdniestria is ending. Everyone realizes that, including on the left bank of the Dniester. It means they need to gradually prepare consumers and the economy to pay market prices for gas," Parlicov said.

A state of emergency was in place in Moldova for about two years. In accordance with this state, the Moldovan authorities ordered buying all gas for internal market needs from Energocom from late 2022, whereas Moldovagaz and Gazprom had signed a contract for gas supply for five years. All gas received from Gazprom goes to Transdniestria, and the right bank of the Dniester consumes gas Energocom purchased at tenders.

The state of emergency ended in the country at the end of 2023. However, the Moldovan authorities ordered Moldovagaz to buy gas in the period from January 2024 to April 2024 from Energocom in the amount of 451 million cubic meters. Thus, Moldovagaz will continue buying gas from Energocom at least until the end of the heating season despite the end of the state of emergency.