Moldova and Transnistria are facing a severe energy crisis due to halted Russian gas supplies and the interruption of gas transportation from Ukraine. In Varnita, residents cope with electricity shortages and high demand for heating appliances. The local clinic struggles to provide care amid frequent power outages. While Moldova seeks alternative gas routes, the situation remains uncertain, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and rising energy costs, impacting daily life and healthcare services in the region.
Energy Crisis in Moldova and Transnistria
The communities of Moldova and the breakaway region of Transnistria are grappling with a severe energy crisis. With Russia halting gas supplies and Ukraine ceasing the transportation of Russian gas, residents are left to navigate these challenging circumstances.
Daily Life in Varnita Amidst Energy Shortages
In the quaint community of Varnita, home to around 5,000 residents, the sun shines brightly on this winter day, yet the chill remains palpable indoors. Viktoria, bundled in her thick jacket, steps into ‘Flori,’ a local garden supply store.
As she browses the store, Viktoria is drawn to the colorful seed packets lining the wall, which promise a bountiful garden filled with radishes, lettuce, and tomatoes. However, her primary objective is to purchase a powerful flashlight and batteries, as her home struggles with intermittent electricity. While she can still manage to heat one room with a wood stove, the gas heating systems have ceased to function.
Heating appliances are in high demand, not only in Varnita but throughout Moldova. Viktoria hails from Bendery, a city in Transnistria, a region that has declared independence from Moldova since the early 1990s. Despite its unrecognized status, Transnistria maintains close ties with Russia, which has stationed ‘peacekeeping troops’ there since a brief conflict decades ago.
In the wake of Ukraine cutting off the gas pipeline supplying Transnistria, residents like Viktoria remain silent about their plight, wary of the authoritarian regime’s repercussions. President Vadim Krasnoselski has enforced strict electricity rationing, limiting access to just 16 hours a day, with power generated primarily from coal.
Many individuals in Transnistria seek supplies like electric heaters and flashlights from areas controlled by the Moldovan government, such as Varnita. Svetlana, a saleswoman at ‘Flori,’ notes that the breakaway region imposes hefty import tariffs on goods from Moldova, complicating access to essential items.
Historically, Moldova purchased electricity from Transnistria, but this source dwindled following the onset of the war in Ukraine in 2022. Consequently, Moldova has turned to Romania for electricity and built gas reserves, ensuring that households on the mainland remain warm and well-lit.
However, the residents of Varnita, an enclave within Transnistria, feel the impact of the gas supply halt, with a diesel generator rumbling outside ‘Flori.’ This energy crisis also affects local healthcare services. Dr. Ghenadie Beselea, director of Varnita’s clinic, reports that the lack of electricity has forced the clinic to shut down part of its operations. With power available only intermittently, the facility struggles to provide adequate care for approximately 200 patients daily.
Looking ahead, the anticipated interruption of Russian gas supplies to Moldova in early 2025 raises questions about the future. During a visit to Varnita, both President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean discuss potential solutions with local officials, although no clear answers emerge.
President Sandu highlights Moldova’s contract with Gazprom, suggesting that alternative routes exist for gas supply, independent of Ukraine. Yet, Moscow asserts that Chisinau must first address its debts with Gazprom, which Moldova’s leadership claims are negligible.
Prime Minister Recean characterizes the situation as a geopolitical maneuver by Moscow aimed at destabilizing Moldova and the broader region. With parliamentary elections approaching, the stakes are high as the government seeks to maintain support amid rising electricity costs, which have surged by 75 percent compared to previous rates.
As the government in Chisinau attempts to extend assistance to Transnistria, the local leadership has rebuffed such overtures, potentially sowing discontent among its citizens. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has hinted at resuming gas supplies to Transnistria, but specifics remain unclear, leaving residents in a state of uncertainty.
This ongoing situation reflects the delicate balance of power and the impact of international relations on everyday life in Moldova and Transnistria, as communities strive to adapt to an evolving energy landscape.