Gas Crisis Hits Transnistria as Russia Halts Supplies via Ukraine
A gas crisis has unfolded in the partially recognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic, with the region’s energy provider, Tirasteploenergo, announcing the shutdown of central heating due to a lack of gas supplies. The crisis has been triggered by Russia’s decision to halt gas deliveries via Ukraine, effective January 1, 2025, at 8:00 AM Moscow time.
Gazprom, the Russian gas company, stated that it had lost the technical and legal possibility to transport gas through Ukraine, following the expiration of the agreement with Naftogaz Ukrainy. The Ukrainian government had previously rejected a proposal to extend the transit agreement, even for third-party purchases.
Transnistria, a region with a fragile energy infrastructure, has been severely impacted by the crisis. The region’s energy provider, Tirasteploenergo, has announced that it will only provide gas for cooking in residential areas, while the central heating system has been shut down. The region’s medical facilities, however, will continue to receive stationary medical care.
The crisis has led to the declaration of a 30-day state of emergency in Transnistria, effective December 11, to mitigate the potential energy crisis. The neighboring Republic of Moldova has also declared a 60-day state of emergency, citing the energy crisis as the reason.
The Moldovan government has announced that it will start receiving the majority of its electricity from Romania in January 2025, with an additional 30% to be generated from local, renewable energy sources, such as heat power plants.