The so-called authorities of the self-proclaimed Transnistria have acknowledged that the region will only have enough gas for a little over three weeks. Meanwhile, the load on the power grids has increased.
This was reported by NewsMaker, following a meeting of the "security council" of the self-declared PMR.
Earlier, it was stated that gas would last until January 10 in the northern part of the region and until January 20 in the south.
The changes in calculations were explained by the fact that they were initially based on data from the 2009 energy crisis period.
"In 2009, during the energy crisis, residents of Transnistria actively heated their homes using gas stoves. Currently, most people use electric appliances for heating. The natural result is a colossal increase in the load on the power grids," said the so-called Minister of Energy, Serhiy Obolonyk.
Due to the increased load on the power grids, rolling power outages lasting up to eight hours per day are occurring in the self-proclaimed Transnistria.
The local "security council" also mentioned that circulation in the gas and heating supply systems is maintained, which will allow for quick restoration of supply if circumstances change.
It should be noted that Gazprom ceased gas supplies to Moldova on January 1, 2025. The contract between Moldovagaz and Gazprom was valid until October 2026, but Gazprom accused Moldovagaz of failing to meet its contractual obligations. The Russian side claims that Moldova must repay a historic debt of $709 million. According to the results of an international audit, Chisinau's debt is $8.6 million, but Gazprom does not recognize these results.
Additionally, since 2025, Ukraine has stopped the transit of Russian gas. The contract signed in 2019 remained in effect despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated that Ukraine will not extend the contract.
In late November, former Minister of Energy Viktor Parlikov met in St. Petersburg with Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller and discussed gas supplies to Moldova after the cessation of transit through Ukraine.
The Russian gas supplied to Moldova was directed to Transnistria and was used, among other things, for the operation of the Moldova GRES, which supplies electricity to all of Moldova.
Currently, the unrecognized Transnistria is facing an energy crisis: gas and heating have been shut off, and rolling power outages are occurring. The authorities of the unrecognized PMR blame Chisinau for the situation.
Official Chisinau describes the energy crisis as blackmail by the Kremlin and a threat to national security ahead of elections.
It is worth noting that Moldova offered assistance to the unrecognized Transnistria in purchasing gas on European markets, but Tiraspol refused.
