Moldova sounds the alarm over energy problems

The Moldovan government and the head of the regime that controls the temporarily occupied territory of Transnistria have announced their intention to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector.

According to TV8, on December 6, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean announced the dismissal of Energy Minister Victor Parlicov.

It is noted that his resignation is explained by managerial mistakes that led to a critical situation. The Moldovan Prime Minister also warned of the possibility of a partial or complete cessation of energy supplies.

He explained that the state of emergency in the energy sector would allow the government to make prompt decisions, including possible restrictions on energy exports. Dorin Rechan said that he would temporarily assume the duties of the Minister of Energy until a new leader is appointed.

On December 9, according to Newsmaker, the head of the unrecognized "Transnistria" Vadim Krasnoselsky signed a decree on December 9 introducing a state of emergency due to the risk of interrupting Russian gas supplies to the region.

According to the decree, the state of emergency will be introduced for 30 days. For the duration of the state of emergency, all businesses in the region must use gas and other energy resources rationally.

At the end of November, Russian missile attacks on the energy infrastructure of Odesa region also affected the Transnistrian region. Through its attacks, Russia is gradually disconnecting Moldova's energy system from Ukraine.

It should be noted that on November 18, commenting on the situation with energy supply, the head of the Odesa State Administration, Oleh Kiper, said that Odesa region had asked Transnistria for help in providing electricity, but they refused.

As the ODA explained to Intent, it was the power company that approached Transnistria, not the regional administration. So Intent turned to the electricity distribution operator DTEK Odesa Power Grids, which explained that it only transports electricity from Ukrenergo's high-voltage substations to customers' homes and has no authority to negotiate electricity exports or imports. They were advised to contact NPC Ukrenergo. NPC Ukrenergo told the publication that they could not provide any comments on the situation with energy supply because the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine recommended that energy companies refrain from commenting.

Instead, energy manager Vitaliy Savych explained to Intent.Insight that electricity supply to Odesa region from Transnistria is theoretically and technically possible, but in fact it has not been happening for a long time, so it is very problematic to supply power from there to the region.