The Moldovan government declared a state of emergency in mid-December 2024 to respond to the energy crisis caused by the disruption of Russian gas supplies. This decision came as a result of difficulties arising after the five-year agreement for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine was not renewed. The hardest hit was the de facto breakaway region of Transnistria, a traditionally dependent area that previously received affordable or even free Russian gas through Ukraine.
Although internationally unrecognized, Transnistria has functioned separately from Moldova since the early 1990s. For years, Transnistria relied on Russian gas as the key driver of its fragile economy. Meanwhile, Moldova has managed to diversify its previous dependence on Russian energy sources, while Transnistria has remained almost entirely reliant on Russian supplies.
A particular challenge lies in the fact that Moldova’s largest gas-fired power plant is located in Transnistria and supplies energy to the rest of the country. When Russia officially cut off all gas supplies to Transnistria in early January 2025, citing unpaid debts and the halt of gas transit through Ukraine, Moldova’s overall energy stability was put at risk. The Transnistrian power plant switched to coal, but electricity production was insufficient to meet the needs of both the region itself and the rest of Moldova.
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To mitigate the crisis, the Moldovan government launched an operation to redirect gas to Transnistria, which has been facing severe issues with heating, hot water, and power outages since January. Facing the Russian supply cut-off via Ukraine, officials in Chișinău requested financial assistance from the European Union. The EU approved €30 million in emergency funding for gas procurement in Transnistria, aiming to prevent further deepening of the energy crisis and political tensions in the region.
Measures to counter the crisis have been approved, with the allocated gas supply to the region not exceeding three million cubic meters per day. According to the plan, Transnistria is expected to receive this supply until at least February 10, with financial assistance and gas purchases supported by the EU. This has temporarily restored essential services for approximately half a million residents in the area.
On January 1, Russia’s Gazprom completely halted gas deliveries to Transnistria, citing a debt dispute with Moldova’s pro-European government in Chișinău and the halt of gas transit through Ukraine as key reasons. As Gazprom refused to consider alternative supply routes, Moldova had to act swiftly, with EU support, to find a solution for residents facing an unprecedented energy crisis.
For now, temporary energy supply has been secured through joint efforts by Moldova and the EU, helping Transnistria’s population avoid the worst consequences during the harsh winter months.
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