Moldova declares state of emergency as Russia prepares to cut off gas

(CLO) On the morning of December 13, the Moldovan Parliament passed a decision to impose a 60-day state of emergency, starting December 16, as gas supplies from Russia are expected to be cut off from January 1.

The order, backed by 56 of the 101 members of parliament shortly after midnight, was requested by Prime Minister Dorin Recean to ensure gas supplies to the breakaway region of Transdniestria.

Declaring a state of emergency would allow the Moldovan government to react quickly and restrict energy exports. The opposition has opposed the decree. The review is set to begin later in the day.

The Chisinau-1 gas distribution plant of energy company Moldovatransgaz in Chisinau, Moldova. Photo: Reuters

Earlier, Moldova held a meeting of the Emergency Committee, which warned that the crisis could lead to power shortages during the winter, as the Moldavskaya power plant in Transnistria (which supplies electricity to both banks of the Dniester River) operates on Russian gas.

The Moldovan government says that the existing coal reserves in Transnistria are enough to supply consumers on the left bank of the Dniester for 30-50 days. Moldova's right bank will have to import electricity via the Romanian grid, but Romania can currently only supply half of Moldova's needs because it also exports large amounts to Ukraine.

Moldova currently receives gas from Russia via Ukraine, but Ukraine has announced it will not renew its transit contract with Russian gas giant Gazprom, which expires on December 31.

Yesterday, the Transnistrian government also declared a state of economic emergency. The region is facing a humanitarian crisis, as industry and people in Transnistria are completely dependent on cheap gas supplies from Russia.

From 2022, the Transnistrian government and the central government of Moldova have agreed that Russian gas will be delivered directly to Transnistria. Moldova receives about 2 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia every year.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, TASS)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/moldova-ban-bo-tinh-trang-khan-cap-do-nguon-cung-khi-dot-tu-nga-bi-cat-post325436.html