Moldovagaz: A major threat to Moldova’s energy security
Moldovagaz poses a threat to the Republic of Moldova, and we must either regain full control of this company to eliminate this vulnerability or reduce its role in energy supply and replace it with another state-owned entity, Energocom, which could perform the same functions currently handled by Moldovagaz.
“Moldovagaz represents a major energy vulnerability for the Republic of Moldova because it is predominantly controlled by Gazprom, with a stake held by Tiraspotransgaz, which is also managed by Gazprom,” said energy expert Eugen Muravschi. “Thus, the main institution responsible for gas supply to the Republic of Moldova, including delivering gas to final consumers, has been an entity controlled by a hostile state. Moldovagaz, therefore, represents a strategic vulnerability for the country. This includes the 700-million-dollar debt, which has not been confirmed by international audit, as well as the supposedly free gas deliveries to the left bank of the Dniester, with a separate account holding a debt of around ten billion.”
Shifting focus, Muravschi referred to Gazprom’s announcement about suspending gas deliveries next year, claiming that this was an attempt to undermine the current government and pro-European forces. "We are already seeing pro-Russian politicians claiming that if they were in power, this wouldn't have happened. These claims are absurd because part of the reasons behind the energy crisis are tied to the war in Ukraine. Russian bombings of infrastructure in Ukraine are affecting us and impacting prices on the regional market. I don’t believe any Moldovan politician could go to Moscow and ask them not to bomb a specific line in Ukraine because we need it. These opportunistic pro-Russian politicians are trying to exploit the crisis. Yes, Russia intends to destabilize the situation in the country ahead of the elections, and we must hope that the authorities will meet this challenge.”
Muravschi also mentioned that there is another reason why Russia is playing this card now. It is their last chance to apply pressure via electricity, as once the Isaccea-Vulcănești-Chișinău high-voltage line is completed next year, Russia will no longer be able to blackmail us over electricity. "They can no longer use gas as leverage on the right bank, and after the completion of this line, they won't be able to pressure the right bank over electricity either. So, this is essentially their last opportunity to exert pressure through electricity.”
Translation by Iurie Tataru
