Moldova will use reserve gas if Gazprom cuts off supplies

CHISINAU, 30 Sep – PRIME. Moldova will use reserve gas in the event of a cessation of supplies from Gazprom, President Maia Sandu said on Friday after a meeting with European Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn.

In October last year, 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.

“If Gazprom decides to stop supplies from October 1, we have a reserve, but it may last for several weeks. However, we will have to use it. And then we will buy gas from alternative suppliers,” Sandu said.

She appealed to the EU representative to provide support to the republic in case the economic crisis worsens. “In order to survive this crisis, we need support. We need to compensate citizens for the rise in the price of natural gas,” the Moldovan leader said.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova Andrei Spinu said that the government had made a gas reserve of 35 million cubic meters, part of it is stored in Romania, part – in Moldova. According to him, gas can come from Romania through the Iasi-Chisinau gas pipeline. At the moment, this highway has not yet been launched.

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