The Republic of Moldova will pay an advance to Gazprom for this month’s gas deliveries – 27.09.2022
The Republic of Moldova is prepared to make a payment to Gazprom for this month’s gas deliveries to reduce concerns that it could reduce or cut supplies from October 1, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu announced yesterday, reports Reuters, according to Agerpres. .
“In the next few days, Moldovagaz will pay the Gazprom group an advance in the amount of 33.89 million dollars for the month of September,” Spînu told Pro TV Chisinau.
The state-owned Moldovan gas company has paid Gazprom for August supplies, but a company source told Reuters that Moldovagaz is pushing for a 50% advance payment for September, amounting to 33.89 million USD.
One of the poorest countries in Europe, the Republic of Moldova, relies on Russian gas. Hit by the increase in the price of gas after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova is also faced with the problem of the stationing of Russian troops in the separatist region of Transnistria.
Previously, the president Maia Sandu had stated that the country should analyze the possibility of alternative energy sources.
“We do not trust that Gazprom will continue supplying gas to the Republic of Moldova after October 1. This time, the price for Moldova according to the current contract should be significantly lower,” the pro-Western leader claimed.
“In case of reduction or stoppage of supplies, we are examining the possibility of supplying energy resources from alternative sources,” she said.
Andrei Spînu stated that the Republic of Moldova might not find out about a cut in supplies until the last moment. But in that case, his country would receive gas at the market price through the Iasi – Chisinau pipeline, which leaves Romania.
“We are not worried about October,” he confessed, adding that there are more than 30 million cubic meters of gas in storage facilities in Romania, and gas consumption will decrease in October as a result of the switch to oil.
Spinu also wanted to note that a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to purchase gas from alternative sources would be enough for 170 million cubic meters of gas.