Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union (EU) and Moldova agreed on an energy security plan on February 4, 2025, which sought to wean the nation off its reliance on Russian supplies and integrate it into the EU’s network, AP reported.
The European Commission stated that Moldova would acquire 250 million euros in the current year, 40 per cent of the package by mid-April–after Russia’s Gazprom halted supplies on January 1, 2025.
The EU Commission further said that its financial package will supply support to consumers in Moldova to assist in paying their growing electricity bills. Around 60 million euros is reserved for 350,000 individuals left in the cold in Transnistria.
Another step on Moldova's path to the EU.
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) February 4, 2025
We have signed a 2-year Strategy for Energy Independence and Resilience of Moldova.
It will bring Moldova into our energy system, reduce its reliance on insecure Russian supplies and help lower energy costs for all Moldovans ↓
What challenges does Transnistria face after gas cutoffs?
Moldova, an ex-Soviet republic, is now facing serious challenges and opportunities in its energy regime, especially as it has, in the past, remained solely dependent on Russian sources of energy. Over the years, Moldova depended entirely on Russia for its natural gas supply. Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this dependency became a vulnerable aspect that necessitated the need for the Moldovan government to look for diversification of its energy sources.
On January 1, 2025, Gazprom ceased gas supplies to Transnistria at the end of a gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine. It is further worsened by what Russia claims as an outstanding debt of $709 million for former gas deliveries, which Moldova describes as being substantially lower in amount.
Gas supplies being cut had critical implications for Kuciurgan power plant, Transnistria’s electricity supplier, entirely using Russian gas. In summary, the plant has turned to coal but produces just enough to supply the power needs of locals, causing the area to have rolling blackouts and a full-blown humanitarian crisis.
