Author: Power Peak Digest Team Pub Date: January 29, 2025
The EU will offer €30m ($31.4m) in emergency assistance to Moldova, including the separatist Transnistrian region, until 10 February 2025.
The aid follows Russian gas supplier Gazprom’s failure to deliver natural gas, leaving over 350,000 people without electricity and heating. Moldova declared a 60-day national state of emergency starting 16 December 2024 due to expected gas cuts.
The package will support electricity restoration and explore coal deliveries from Ukraine. It also includes assistance for electricity transmission from Moldova’s State District Power Plant. The region, reliant on coal and gas reserves since Gazprom’s breach of contract on 1 January 2025, is facing shortages.
Moldova’s right bank, dependent on EU gas markets since 2022, is supported by the EU’s intervention to prevent further humanitarian crises. The EU aims to secure natural gas, address immediate needs, and ensure transmission capacity for gas delivery.
The EU’s broader financial commitment includes a package focused on long-term energy resilience, addressing the social impact of the crisis, and fostering economic growth.
Since 2023, the EU has contributed €240m in direct support for Moldova’s energy sector, assisted over 750,000 households, and facilitated €640m in energy efficiency and green transition investments. Further macro-financial aid totals €295m.
Moldova’s grid connection to the European electricity network has bolstered energy security. European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas criticized Russia’s use of energy as leverage, reaffirming EU support for Moldova and Ukraine.
Source: Power Technology