Moldova launches power line with Romania and says it no longer buys Russian gas

Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on social network X that a new Vulcanesti–Chisinau power transmission line has been put into operation. It connects Moldova with Romania and the European power system, reducing the country's dependence on Russian energy supplies. Sandu also stated that Moldova does not buy Russian gas.

According to her, Moscow used energy to blackmail Moldova for decades, but that is over. The president added that two more power lines to Romania will appear soon.

Background

Moldova previously depended almost entirely on Russia's gas company Gazprom for gas imports. Natural gas deliveries often led to disputes between the country and Russia. Although Moldova stopped purchasing from Gazprom back in December 2022, Russian gas continued to reach the Moldovan power plant (MGRES) located in Transnistria, from which Moldova buys electricity.

In 2023, Moldova stopped buying Gazprom gas for the right bank of the Dniester as well, meaning the territory controlled by the government in Chisinau. At the time, then-Prime Minister Dorin Recean said the country had shed its dependence on Russian gas thanks to reduced consumption after the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

Gas from Ukraine

Moldova recently bought its first gas from Ukrainian private companies. It is currently considering purchasing 10–50 million cubic metres of natural gas from Ukraine and hopes to agree on a price below the market rate.