2022–2023 Moldovan energy crisis
In 2022, Moldova suffered its worst energy crisis since its independence. It is hugely influenced by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[1]
On October, the Russian state-owned company Gazprom announced it would reduce its gas deliveries to Moldova by 30%, including Transnistria, an unrecognized separatist state supported by Russia and internationally recognized as part of Moldova. This caused a heavy gas deficit in Transnistria that caused several large companies in the separatist republic to cease their activities. In addition, the Transnistrian authorities announced that due to this gas crisis, the Cuciurgan power station, which supplies 70% of government-held Moldova's energy needs, would reduce its power deliveries to 27% of normal.[2]
On early October, Ukraine ceased its electricity exports to Moldova following the destruction of part of Ukraine's electricity system as a result of a mass bombing campaign of Ukrainian civilian and energy infrastructure by Russia. On 24 October, this provoked an electricity deficit in the country.[1] Following this, the Romanian state-owned company Hidroelectrica signed a contract with Moldovan state-owned Energocom company for the delivery of electricity to Moldova at prices considerably lower than the spot market price in Romania. For this to take place, changes in Romanian legislation were required.[3] This is believed to have increased support among Moldovan society for a potential unification of Moldova and Romania.[4]
Due to the energy crisis, protests against the pro-European government led by President Maia Sandu erupted seeking rapprochement with Russia in order to negotiate a better energy deal.[5] Due to this, it has been hypothesised that Russia is using Moldova's energy crisis to serve its geopolitical interests and to destabilize the pro-Western government in power.[6][7]
On 10 November, during a visit by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to Moldova, a 250 million-euro financial package from the European Union (EU) was announced to help Moldova deal with its energy crisis. Of these, 100 million would be grants, other 100 million would be loans and another 50 million would be destined to help Moldova's most vulnerable citizens.[8]
On 15, 23 November, parts of Moldova were in blackout due to Russian shelling of critical infrastructure of Ukraine.[9][10] [11]
See also
- Economic impact of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Moldova–Russia relations
- Transnistria conflict
References
- ^ a b Cojan, Liviu (25 October 2022). "Maia Sandu: Republica Moldova se confruntă cu cea mai gravă criză energetică din istoria sa". Digi24 (in Romanian).
- ^ Călugăreanu, Vitalie (21 October 2022). "Criza energetică generată de Putin poate duce la dispariția enclavei separatiste Transnistria" (in Romanian). Deutsche Welle.
- ^ Neagu, Bogdan (14 October 2022). "Romania to cover Moldova's electricity deficit caused by Russia bombing". Euractiv.
- ^ Gava, Ioan Radu (13 October 2022). "Rusia s-a prăbușit în ochii cetățenilor Republicii Moldova: România ne ajută cel mai mult / Deputat PAS, despre procentul unioniștilor: Va veni ziua în care 50%+1 își vor dori Unirea". DC News (in Romanian).
- ^ Necșuțu, Mădălin (9 November 2022). "How an energy crisis is testing Moldova's mettle to turn away from Russia". Euronews.
- ^ Jack, Victor (9 November 2022). "Moldova will ask EU allies for €450M amid fears Putin will cut gas flows". Politico Europe.
- ^ Cenușă, Denis (16 November 2022). "COMMENT: Russian tactics against Ukraine hit Moldovan energy sector". bne IntelliNews.
- ^ "EU announces $250 million package to help Moldova tackle harsh energy crisis". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 10 November 2022.
- ^ "Moldova Suffered Blackouts After Russian Strikes on Ukraine". Bloomberg.com. 15 November 2022.
- ^ "Ukraine war: Zelensky denounces Russian 'terror' in UN address". BBC News. 23 November 2022.
- ^ Reuters (23 November 2022). "Most Moldovan power supplies restored after Russian strikes on Ukraine".
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