Moldovan deputy PM for reintegration speaks about energy crisis on left bank of Dniester

The energy crises in the Transnistrian region could recur. As long as the leaders in Tiraspol do not accept a transparent and sustainable formula for gas delivery in the region, this problem will reappear, given that the paying agent is constantly changing. Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeriu Chiveri today made statements to this effect before the government meeting.

According to the official, the current situation on the left bank of Dniester is caused by a technical issue.

“This is a situation that is repeated every 10 days, for more than a year already. As long as the leaders in Tiraspol do not accept a transparent and sustainable formula for gas delivery in the region, this problem will reappear, given that the paying agent is constantly changing. There is a sanctions policy of the European Union that must be observed. If the model proposed by Chisinau is not accepted, the situation will continue to repeat itself,” said Valeriu Chiveri.

The deputy PM also referred to Ukraine’s willingness to supply coal for the Kuchurgan power plant.

“This is an older idea, which was launched by the Ukrainian side at the time of the crisis at the beginning of 2025, but it was not accepted by the Transnistrian side. I do not know in detail what the proposal was this time, but I assume it has the same meaning. However, without the leaders in Tiraspol accepting such cooperation, this will obviously not materialize,” Valeriu Chiveri noted.

In late last August, the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) ruled to designate the company Moldovagaz as responsible for the supply of natural gas to the Transnistrian region until 31 March 2026. The ANRE decision stipulates that Moldovagaz will be able to purchase natural gas on the wholesale market of Moldova, but exclusively for the needs of the Transnistrian region.

Starting 1 January 2025, the Russian company Gazprom unjustifiably suspended the delivery of natural gas to Moldovagaz, even though there was a valid contract until 2026, leaving consumers in the Transnistrian region without natural gas and, consequently, without electricity, heating and hot water.

In the emerged situation, the European Union allocated a grant of 30 million euros for the purchase of the energy resources needed both for consumers on the left bank of Dniester and for those on the right bank. At the same time, the EU came forward with an aid offer of 60 million euros, in order to cover the energy needs of the Transnistrian region. The support was, however, refused by Tiraspol.