Energy Policy of Moldova: Balancing Over the Abyss
https://doi.org/10.48137/26870703_2022_19_3_105
Abstract
The article examines the energy situation in Moldova, which has changed with the beginning of Russian special operation in Ukraine. Moldova is formally observing neutrality, but in its public rhetoric and individual actions sided with Ukraine. Despite the fact that Chisinau did not fulfill a number of provisions of the contract concluded in October 2021 with Gazprom, the latter continued to supply gas to Moldova for various reasons, humanitarian among them. Another important reason is the need to ensure the energy security of Pridnestrov`e, which is closely connected with Moldova by energy routes. Despite Moldova’s dependence on Russian gas, Chisinau, demonstrating its commitment to Euro-Atlantic “solidarity”, continues to search for alternative energy sources. These include joining the European gas platform, purchasing reserve gas for storage in gas storage facilities, etc.
These are all stopgap measures and will not be able to ensure energy security, especially in the autumn-winter period. The article also analyzes the main trends in the development of the energy situation in Moldova in the conditions of a high degree of uncertainty prevailing in the regional and global gas markets.
About the Author
S. Ya. LavrenovRussian Federation
Lavrenov Sergey Ya. - D. Sc. (Politics), Professor, Head of Department on Moldova and Pridnestrov`e.
7/10 b. 3 Bolshaya Polyanka str., Moscow, 119180
References
1. Lavrenov S. Ya., 2022. Gas crisis in Moldova: causes and consequences // Geoeconomics of Energetics. No. 1 (17). P. 81. (In Russ.)
2. Burnasheva A., 2022. Two Ukrainian companies will supply Moldova with 30 % of the missing electricity // https://www.mk.ru/economics/2022/07/29/dve-ukrainskie-kompanii-postavyat-moldavii-30-nedostayushhey-elektroenergii.html, accessed 29.07.2022. (In Russ.)
3. Gamova S., 2022. Moldova hopes to tie Transnistria with gas // https://www.ng.ru/cis/2022-03-29/1_8403_moldova.html, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Russ.)
4. Manukov S., 2022. Forget about Qatari gas: Europe will not be able to replace Russian supplies // https://expert.ru/2022/06/21/katar/, accessed 15.07.2022. (In Russ.)
5. Svintsova E., 2022. Romania will make it easier for companies to extract gas in the Black Sea // https://neftegaz.ru/news/gosreg/737798-rumyniya-oblegchit-kompaniyamusloviya-dobychi-gaza-v-chernom-more/, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Russ.)
6. Tkach S., 2022. Is Moldova moving towards abandoning Russian energy carriers? // http://www.vedomosti.md/news/moldova-dvizhetsya-k-otkazu-ot-rossijskihenergonositelej, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Russ.)
7. Look C., 2022. Germany Faces $240 Billion Hit If Russian Energy Cut Off // https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-13/german-economic-institutes-cutgrowth-outlook-on-war-impact, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Eng.)
8. Blinken promised investments in Moldova’s energy sector // https://ria.ru/20220306/moldaviya-1776914269.html, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Russ.)
9. Gavrilica: Romania will provide 155 thousand liters of fuel and 150 thousand liters of gasoline to Moldova // https://nistru.news/gavrilica-rymyniia-predostavit-moldovebolee-155-tys-litrov-topliva/, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Russ.)
10. Gazprom left Moldova’s request for gas supplies after May 1 unanswered // https://point.md/ru/novosti/ekonomika/and-34-gazpromand-34-ostavil-bez-otveta-zaprosmoldovy-o-postavkakh-gaza-posle-1-maia/, accessed 17.06.2022. (In Russ.)
11. The minority shareholder of Moldovagaz demands the liquidation of the enterprise // http://www.vedomosti.md/news/minoritarnyj-akcioner-moldovagaz-trebuetlikvidacii-predpriy, accessed 28.07.2022. (In Russ.)
12. The IMF mission called on ANRE to transfer EU directives to national regulations // http://www.vedomosti.md/news/missiya-mvf-prizvala-nare-perenesti-direktivy-es-vnacionaln, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Russ.)
13. ANRE approved the creation of a gas trading platform // http://www.vedomosti.md/ news/nare-odobrilo-sozdanie-ploshadki-dlya-torgovli-gazom, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Russ.)
14. Will Azerbaijan help Europe overcome the gas crisis // https://www.profinance.ru/news/2022/06/13/c62f-pomozhet-li-azerbajdzhan-evrope-preodolet-gazovyj-krizis. html, accessed 15.07.2022. (In Russ.)
15. The holiday of refusal from energy carriers did not take place // http://www.vedomosti.md/news/prazdnik-otkaza-ot-energonositelej-ne-sostoyalsya, accessed 17.06.2022. (In Russ.)
16. Romania is ready to build a gas storage facility for Moldova on its territory // https://noi.md/ru/politika/rumyniya-gotova-postroiti-gazohranilishhe-dlya-moldovy-nasvoej-territorii, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Russ.)
17. Romania cannot supply gas to Moldova without Gazprom’s consent // https://noi.md/ru/jekonomika/rumyniya-ne-mozhet-postavlyati-gaz-v-moldovu-bez-soglasiyagazproma, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Russ.)
18. Sandu does not regret that she did not go to the negotiations on gas, but urges citizens to prepare for a hard winter // https://actualitati.md/sandu-prizvala-grazhdangotovitsja-k-tjazheloj-zime-i-zajavila-chto-ne-zhaleet-chto-ne-poehala-v-moskvudogovarivatsja-po-gazu, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Russ.)
19. Spynu discussed diversification of energy sources in the Republic of Moldova in Baku // https://noi.md/ru/jekonomika/spynu-obsudil-v-baku-diversifikaciyuistochnikov-jenergii-v-respublike-moldova, accessed 15.07.2022. (In Russ.)
20. What we will pay: In April alone, Moldovagaz’s debt to Gazprom will grow by another 500 million // https://www.kp.md/online/news/4711662 /, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Russ.)
21. Scholz said that Germany cannot afford to give up Russian gas // https://www.interfax.ru/world/837378, accessed 18.07.2022. (In Russ.)
Review
For citations:
Lavrenov S.Ya. Energy Policy of Moldova: Balancing Over the Abyss. Geoeconomics of Energetics. 2022;(3):105-120. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.48137/26870703_2022_19_3_105