Moldova Taking Measures to Avoid Gas Crisis

Moldova is facing a difficult winter for gas but the country will have enough according to Regional Development Minister Andrei Spinu.

• "For this the government will create gas reserves, ensure imports from alternative sources [other than Russia], switch plants to other energy resources - fuel oil and coal, and promote measures to reduce consumption," Spinu said.
• "The government has already taken measures to ease the impact of the crisis. A decision has been made to create a fund to reduce energy vulnerability [to pay compensation to households], a contract has been signed with the EBRD to receive a loan of 300 million euros [to build up gas reserves and make emergency purchases], 75 million euros have been received from the EU to reduce the impact of the crisis and so on," Spinu said.
• "We intend to increase fuel oil reserves. Fuel oil will be the main alternative to gas for Termoelectrica, which provides heating and electricity to Chisinau. We need a total of about 216,000 tonnes of fuel oil, which can replace the 312 million cubic meters of gas needed to cover consumption in the period of October-April," Spinu said.
• "We will also increase the public's access to buying firewood. We will ensure a reasonable price. We will also stimulate coal imports. We have already discussed the main problems in this area with importers. Next decisions will follow to ensure the purchase of at least 100,000 tonnes of coal. The state coal reserve will also be topped up," Spinu said.