The gas supply cut could halt Transdniestria’s power plant, causing blackouts in Moldova and Transdniestria similar to those in Ukraine. Credit: Kodda/Shutterstock.

Russian majority state-owned multinational energy firm Gazprom has announced it will suspend gas exports to Moldova from 1 January 2025, citing unpaid debts by Moldova.

Gazprom has stated that it reserves the right to terminate its supply contract with Moldova, which relies on Russian gas for about two billion cubic metres per year. The move could lead to power shortages in Moldova.

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Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean has strongly criticised the Russian decision, which signals a potential complete halt of Russian gas exports via Ukraine to Europe after the current transit deal with Ukraine that expires on 31 December 2024.

This would affect not only Moldova but also Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, and Italy.

Recean wrote on Facebook: “This decision confirms once again the intention of the Kremlin to leave the inhabitants of the Transdniestrian region without light and heat in the middle of the winter.”

Russia has been critical of Moldova’s pro-Western central government and demands payment of a debt on past gas supplies.

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While Gazprom calculates the debt at $709m, Moldova disputes this, claiming the debt is only $8.6m.

Gazprom has previously stated that it expects Moldova to settle this debt before considering alternative gas supply routes.

In 2022, Transdniestria and the government in Chisinau agreed that all Russian gas received by Moldova would be directed to Transdniestria, which traditionally does not pay for the fuel.

The impending gas supply cut could cause the power-generating plant in Transdniestria to cease operations, leading to extensive blackouts in both Moldova and Transdniestria, similar to those experienced by Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict.

The Transdniestrian government has informed businesses that gas supplies will be cut off to non-critical commercial entities.

However, it assured that gas, heating, and hot water services to households would continue normally until 1 January 2025.

In response to the looming crisis, Prime Minister Recean stated that Moldova had diversified its gas sources to reduce reliance on a single supplier.

“Our country is prepared to handle any situation that arises following the Kremlin’s decision,” he added.

With a population of 2.5 million, Moldova has been preparing for extended power outages as Ukraine’s government indicated it would not renew its gas transit contract with Gazprom.

Both Moldova and Transdniestria have declared emergencies over the potential disruption of gas supplies.