The USSR, and since 1991 the Russian Federation, have vigorously conquered the Republic of Moldova. The hybrid war planned by the Russians is most brutally manifested today in Moldova through the destruction of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure, an infrastructure on which Moldova still depends. In recent days, the Moldovan energy system has been out of order due to a lack of power generation capacity and a lack of natural gas resources and sources. Several districts in the north had nowhere to provide themselves with electricity.

The situation is terrible. “Modova” consumes about 1 billion cubic meters of gas annually (1 million cubic meters per year). Compared to Romania, the Republic of Moldova consumes 11 times less. If they had their own power generation facilities, the need would increase to 1.5 million m³ per year, since the industry is not very developed. Today, Romania produces 10 million cubic meters per year, but consumes just over 12 million cubic meters per year. Until recently, the source of gas from Moldova was 100% the Russian Federation.

Gas transportation, distribution and supply is managed by the national company “Moldovagaz” and its subsidiaries. The problem is that “Moldovagaz” is a company that is 50% owned by “Gazprom”, to which the authorities of the self-proclaimed Transnistrian Republic add another 13.44%. Therefore, the control is held by the Russian Federation.

The best decision of the Romanian authorities was that it was decided to build an interconnector and a new gas transport structure that will go from Romania. Vestmoldtransgaz was acquired by Transgaz, the good news is that the EBRD is also a 25% shareholder in the Moldovan company. This company, however, covers only a small part of the territory’s supply, not being able to fully take over the supply of gas from Romania.

At the beginning of November, Moldova received only 51% of the contracted gas demand from the Russian Federation.

The situation with electricity is no less complicated. On the territory of Transnistria, there is a large thermal power plant in Kuchurgan with a capacity of 2,500 MW, which belongs to the Russian concern RAO EAS. Also in the self-proclaimed Transnistrian Republic, Dubesari still has a capacity of 46 MW. On the right bank of the Dniester, there are several small production capacities: in Chisinau, Termoelectrica can provide only 300 MW, in Baltsy there is a capacity of 35 MW, to which another 100 MW is added from small capacities scattered throughout the territory of the republic. Moldova.

From the point of view of sources of raw materials, there is a possibility of supplying the listed TPPs with gas (with a capacity of 2,000 MW), coal (with a capacity of 1,000 MW) or fuel oil (with a capacity of 2,180 MW). Added to them are 64 MW at HPP and 4 MW at RES.

From a technical point of view, the working standards of the electrical system were until, immediately after the start of the war, Russia, Moldova and Ukraine were connected to the electricity transmission system of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Today, it works synchronously with the European ENTSO-E system, which means that the Moldovan system can also be connected to Romania and Ukraine.

That is, on the right bank of the Dniester, it produces approximately 15% of what is needed, that is, approximately 0.836 TW/year. Romania must compensate the rest up to 5.5 TWh per year, that is, approximately 4.7 TWh per year. In calculations, this means that the average available capacity (and interconnection) to cover Moldova’s deficit will be 42 MWh. On average, perhaps the maximum during the cold season is 235 MWh, according to a statement from Moldova’s Development Minister Andrej Spanu. It is not much, but while Romania cannot provide its own consumption needs, therefore it imports, today Romania cannot provide the energy security (in terms of electricity) of Moldova.

Moldova’s energy problem also means the price of energy: gas has become more expensive than the price in November 2021. This also affects the price of electricity. The thermal power plant from Kuchurgan reduced the supply of electricity by more than half. If earlier 70% of imports were provided by factories on the left bank (from Transnistria), today, due to a lack of gas, imports are provided by only 27%. Unsatisfied demand raises prices. An increase in prices leads to a decrease in consumption. Thus, gas consumption was sharply reduced by 57%, and electricity consumption by 14%.

Moldova has been buying energy on the Romanian market for several days. Hidroelectrica sells in Moldova at a price convenient for both parties, almost twice the price subsidized for the population: 450 lei/MWh. Romania’s efforts cover 90% of consumption, a record.

There are problems: connections with Moldova pass through Ukraine. At the time of writing (November 21, 2022), Romania exported approximately 250 MW to Moldova via Ukraine via Isaccia – Vulcanesti and Porubne. The risks are high because, passing through the territory of Ukraine, transport lines can be damaged by Russian missiles or drones.

It is desirable that in the future the connection takes place directly on the Romanian-Moldovan border. For this, the United States provided significant assistance to Moldova in the amount of 20 million dollars, materialized in equipment for managing the transmission of electricity.

Regarding gas supplies, the government in Chisinau has signed additional import contracts with Greece and Turkey to be transported through the Bulgarian Interconnector, as Gazprom is expected to completely cut off connections to Moldova. Gas can flow to Romania through two interconnectors with Bulgaria: Negru-Vode and Giurgiu-Ruse. In addition, it is possible to reach Moldova either through Iasi – Ungen, or through Isaccia to Vulkanest. Read the whole article and comment on Contributors.ro