Transnistria’s Leader Reveals Gas Reserves Almost Depleted
Transnistrian President Wadim Krasnosselski announced that the country’s gas reserves are nearly exhausted, stating, “Our reserves are going to zero.” The statement was made in response to the energy crisis in the region, which has been exacerbated by the halt of Russian gas transit to Europe and Moldova’s refusal to pay its gas debts to Gazprom.
Krasnosselski explained that Transnistria has requested gas from Moldova to “prevent the worst-case scenarios until the gas supply of the republic is fully restored.” The request comes after Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean announced that the government would provide Transnistria with three million cubic meters of gas as a loan on January 27.
According to Krasnosselski, three million cubic meters of gas, assuming minimal consumption, would only last for a week and a half. He expressed hope that this would be sufficient until the regular gas supply of the republic is restored. The president also emphasized that the small amount of gas is a temporary measure and does not solve the energy crisis, as the normal gas consumption in Transnistria is around three million cubic meters per day.
The energy crisis in the region began after Ukraine halted the transit of Russian gas to Europe and Moldova refused to pay its gas debts to Gazprom. While Chișinău has secured energy resources from other European countries, Transnistria has been completely cut off from gas supplies, leading to power outages, no heating and no hot water in many residential blocks.
This week, the European Union announced it would provide a financial emergency aid to Moldova to buy gas, which will then be supplied to Transnistria in exchange for free electricity from the state-owned Moldovan power plant on Transnistrian territory.
On January 29, Krasnosselski reported that Russia would provide a credit for the purchase of gas for Transnistria, pending no obstacles from Moldova. The president acknowledged that no legal decision has been made on the deal yet.