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Parlicov: Moldova Will Have Gas Supplies and Affordable Electricity

Home / Economy / Parlicov: Moldova Will Have Gas Supplies and Affordable Electricity
Recalling the past winter, the Moldovan Energy Ministry says that the country is more prepared for the heating season than ever before. Energy Minister Victor Parlicov said that significant gas reserves had been accumulated over the winter, and a year-long contract for electricity purchase at affordable prices had been successfully signed. In a press release issued today, Minister Parlicov said that, thanks to preventive measures, the people would receive light and heat at lower prices than the previous year. He said that given the current geopolitical context, the war in Ukraine and the politicization of energy trade by the Russian Federation, Moldova had considered several scenarios to ensure continuous and stable energy supplies. The plan, in place since July this year, envisages three possible scenarios:
  1. No restrictions on natural gas supply by Gazprom to Moldovagaz.
  2. Continued supply of natural gas by Gazprom at the level of 5.7 million cubic meters per day.
  3. The cancellation of the natural gas supply contract by Gazprom.
The Energy Ministry also envisaged possible situations under scenario 2, such as proportional distribution between the right and left banks or exclusive distribution to consumers on the left bank of the Dniester. The scenarios taken into consideration are based on the experience of the energy crisis during the previous heating season. Minister Parlicov emphasized the importance of reducing natural gas consumption and affordable energy prices in order to avoid a new crisis. The government proposes measures such as reconnecting public buildings to centralized heating systems, using alternative fuels in thermal power plants and maintaining a minimum of 450 million cubic meters of gas in stock before the cold season starts. In the case of Termoelectrica, the largest consumer of natural gas, the use fuel oil is proposed as an alternative, but not more than 50 per cent of the total fuel, depending on price dynamics and availability of energy resources.