05.01.2024, Tiraspol.
The energy crisis in Transnistria, which began after New Year’s due to the cessation of gas supplies, is being mitigated with the help of the region’s military, the Ministry of Defense of Transnistria said on January 5.
The military sent 74 units of equipment to gather and deliver firewood to those in need. In addition, field kitchens were set up in Tiraspol, Dubossary, Grigoriopol, and other towns to provide meals to the elderly and low-income citizens. Thermoboxes and vacuum vessels with food and hot drinks were distributed to orphanages as well.
Earlier, President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Vadim Krasnoselsky announced that 5,900 cubic meters of firewood had been prepared to tackle the energy crisis, with 1,200 cubic meters distributed to low-income citizens. He also urged citizens to prepare firewood supplies in advance, noting that sales points for firewood have been set up in all cities.
Furthermore, heating points have been established throughout the cities, where people can receive hot food. Due to the energy crisis, it is planned to switch Pridnestrovian schoolchildren to distance learning after the winter holidays, while 41 emergency kindergartens have been opened for preschoolers.
On January 5, energy providers announced another four-hour power outage, affecting parts of Tiraspol, Bender, Ribnita, Dubossary, Grigoriopol, Kamenca, and dozens of villages.
As a result of the energy crisis, 1,500 multi-story buildings and 72,000 private houses in Transnistria have been left without heating and gas. This crisis was triggered by Gazprom’s cessation of gas supplies to Moldova at the beginning of the year, as the Moldovan government failed to resolve the issue of outstanding fuel debts.
In response to the energy crisis, both Moldova and Transnistria have introduced states of emergency and energy-saving measures. While Moldova could potentially receive gas from other sources, Transnistria had been entirely dependent on gas supplied through a pipeline from Ukraine, which halted the transit of Russian gas at the start of the year.
Previously, up to 80% of Moldova’s electricity needs were met by the Moldavian GRES, located in Transnistria, which operated on Russian gas. However, this power plant has now switched to coal, which is barely enough to meet the needs of Transnistria itself, and it has ceased electricity exports to Moldova.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
