Victor Parlicov: Gas supply of the Transnistrian region depends on cooperation with Gazprom
Russian gas can physically reach the Transnistrian region after 2024, when the current agreement on gas transit from Gazprom through Ukraine expires. However, the future of energy supply depends, to a large extent, on the cooperation with the Russian concern, said the Minister of Energy, Victor Parlicov, in the program "La 360 de grade", from Radio Moldova.
The minister emphasized that, despite the uncertainties, the Transnistrian region will have access to natural gas, and the rest of the country will benefit from electricity. However, Parlicov warned that prices may change, and the main challenge will not be technical, but financial.
"Physically we will have and we will also bring gas and electricity. It's just that prices will change. Beyond that, this assumed refusal by Gazprom to deliver according to the contract would mean that the Russian Federation bears the consequences of triggering a crisis in the Transnistrian region. The region's ability to pay can be seriously affected."
Despite the uncertainty, Parlicov assured that the Republic of Moldova is ready for any scenario. Chisinau will not obstruct the delivery of Russian gas to the left bank of the Nistru, he says, but the responsibility for the final decision rests with the Russian Federation.
"If Gazprom and the Russian Federation already assume that they no longer want to deliver, ok, we will manage, but everyone must know that it is an assumption of the decision of the Russian Federation."
The minister pointed out that, at present, the right bank of the Nistru secures its natural gas needs from the European market, including, possibly, through purchases of Russian gas at a more advantageous price than the one previously imposed by Gazprom. These new supply options have increased the country's bargaining power, the official claims.
Though our country does not depend on Russian gas, the right bank practically depends entirely on the electricity produced on the left side of the Nistru. Currently, Chisinau provides almost 90 percent of its electricity needs from the Cuciurgan Power Plant. The purchase contract, extended in the fall of 2023, will expire at the end of 2024. The cost of the energy procured from the Transnistrian region is 66 dollars for one MWh.
