Moldova Rejects Resuming Power Imports from Transnistria
Moldova has decided not to resume importing electricity from the Moldovan Thermal Power Plant in Transnistria due to insufficient gas supplies, high production costs, and sanctions risks. The plant, previously supplying up to 80% of Moldova's electricity, ceased operations in January 2025 after Russian gas deliveries ended.
Consensus
- Moldova will not resume importing electricity from the Moldovan Thermal Power Station in Transnistria.
- The decision is based on economic and logistical reasons, not ideology.
- The Moldovan Thermal Power Station ceased electricity exports to Moldova starting January 1, 2025.
- Gas supplies to Transnistria have decreased from approximately 5.7 million cubic meters per day to 2.5–3 million cubic meters per day.
- The current gas volume is insufficient to meet the electricity production needs of the right bank of Moldova.
- The cost of electricity production at the Moldovan Thermal Power Station is estimated at around 220 euros per MWh.
- Moldova previously imported electricity from the plant under a favorable gas supply agreement with Gazprom.
- The plant's capacity is 1,720 MW, significantly higher than other power plants in Moldova.
- Moldova is currently importing electricity from Romania.
- Moldova is a candidate for EU membership and aligns its policies with European standards, including sanctions.
Points of divergence
- The Moldovan Thermal Power Station is owned by the Russian company Inter RAO, which was added to the EU sanctions list in July. — kommersant
- The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (PMR), Vitaly Ignatiev, accused Moldova of 'strangling' Transnistria rather than pursuing reintegration. — vedomosti
- Gas supply to Transnistria since February 2025 has been managed by Hungarian MET Gas and Energy Marketing AG, with involvement from Moldovan state company Moldovagaz and financial intermediaries registered in the UAE. — interfax
Coverage (3 sources)
- Moldova refused to import electricity from MoldGRЭС to Transnistria — Коммерсантъ
- Moldova does not plan to resume importing electricity from MoldGRES — Ведомости
- Moldova does not plan to resume importing electricity from MoldGRES in Transnistria — Интерфакс