Moldova will not be able to buy gas from Gazprom on a loan from the EBRD

CHISINAU, Sep 19 – PRIME. Moldova cannot buy gas from Gazprom to replenish the reserve through a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development of 300 million euros, Deputy Prime Minister, Infrastructure Minister Andrei Spinu said.

Moldova in July signed an agreement on obtaining a loan from the EBRD for 300 million euros. The loan will be provided in two tranches of 100 and 200 million euros respectively. The money is used to create strategic reserves of natural gas and diversify sources of supply.

“Moldova has an agreement for 300 million with the EBRD, seven companies were preliminarily selected from which we can purchase gas, Gazprom is not included in this list. We can only spend this money on gas,” Spinu said on the air of the Jurnal TV channel .

According to him, these funds cannot be used to compensate for the high cost of gas, they will only allow diversifying suppliers. The republic’s authorities intend to use the loan if Gazprom decides to reduce gas supplies to Moldova by at least 35%.

Moldova is experiencing an energy crisis due to rising energy prices. Earlier, Spinu said that the authorities intend to reduce gas consumption in winter by at least 15%. The authorities have developed and submitted for discussion a plan that involves turning off street lighting, lowering the temperature of central heating, transferring schoolchildren and students to distance learning. On August 1, the Moldovagaz company began disconnecting consumers who did not pay for the services for the supply of natural gas on time.

In October, the Moldovan authorities agreed with Gazprom to extend the contract for the supply of gas to the republic, subject to an audit of the Moldovagaz debt in 2022. “Gazprom” said that, taking into account the situation in Moldova, it was decided to sign the contract practically on the terms of the Moldovan side, but subject to timely 100% payment of current payments. Gazprom has the opportunity to stop gas supplies to the republic at any time.