Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday described the end of gas transit as “one of Moscow’s biggest defeats”. He said it was now Europe’s “joint task” to support Moldova “in this period of energy transformation”.
Russia had been pumping about 2 billion cubic metres of gas per year to Transdniestria, including a power plant that provided energy for the whole of Moldova, a country of 2.5 million people that wants to join the European Union. The ex-Soviet state has a long history of gas payment disputes and tense relations with Russia.
CUTTING ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Moldova says it is taking measures to cut its energy consumption by at least a third. It plans to meet 38 percent of its needs by domestic production, including 10 percent from renewable energy, and import the remaining 62 percent from neighbouring Romania.
Government spokesman Daniel Voda said on Wednesday that all Moldovan energy consumers were secure, and that the country’s thermal power plants were operating normally. He added that Moldova’s gas reserves would suffice for the cold period.
Voda said, without providing details, that the government supported residents of Transdniestria and was “looking for alternative solutions to provide them with heat and energy”.
In Transdniestria, the local energy company’s website said the cut-off of heating and hot water took effect at 7am local time (1pm, Singapore time), but some facilities such as hospitals were exempt.
It urged residents to dress warmly, gather family members together in a single room, hang blankets or thick curtains over windows and balcony doors, and use electric heaters.
