Moldova could face electricity shortages if Ukraine stops transporting Russian gas, President Maia Sandu warned on Daily TV. The president described the situation as contingent on a decision not yet finalized about the continuation of gas transit through Ukraine, making a potential power outage a hypothetical scenario for now. He noted that the key question for Moldova is not whether to buy gas but at what price it will be available, underscoring the country’s sensitivity to gas supply costs.
Today, about 80 percent of Moldova’s electricity is produced by a regional power plant in the Transnistria region. That plant runs on Russian gas, so any halt in its operation could trigger a significant electricity shortfall across the country. Moldova has been examining backup options, including acquiring electricity from neighboring Romania and Ukraine. Sandu said resolving this shift would take a year to a year and a half, highlighting the long timelines involved in diversifying energy sourcing and ensuring grid stability.
Earlier in February, Moldova committed to ensuring gas supplies to Transnistria in the event that transit through Ukraine ceases. This move aims to prevent immediate energy disruptions in the region despite the broader transit dispute. The country has also faced statements from Kyiv regarding Moldova’s position in relation to Russian gas transit contracts, emphasizing the political and logistical complexities tied to gas flow in the area.
On January 11, Moldova indicated that Ukraine could not fulfill a promise to guarantee gas transit to Moldova, complicating the already delicate energy balance in the country. The prior language from Ukraine suggested that the renewal of the transit agreement for Russian gas, set to expire at the end of 2024, would not proceed under existing terms, raising concerns about Moldova’s immediate gas and electricity security.
In this context, Moldova’s leadership has stressed the urgency of a stable and affordable energy plan. The situation illustrates how dependent Moldova remains on cross-border energy arrangements and how shifts in Russian gas transit or regional power generation can ripple through households and industries alike. As the regional energy landscape evolves, Moldova continues to explore diversified sources and interconnections to cushion any potential shocks to its electricity system, while engaging international partners to support a reliable and affordable energy future for its citizens.