Headline:
Pridnestrovie Implements Emergency Energy Measures: Gas Cutoff Looms, Power Rationing Likely
Article:
BREAKING: In an unprecedented move to conserve energy resources, the authorities in Pridnestrovie have announced that private households will be immediately disconnected from the gas supply at 7 AM local time (8 AM Moscow time) on January 1, 2023. The decision, disclosed by the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) government on December 23, will significantly impact residents, with heating and hot water services expected to cease from the morning of New Year’s Day.
Multi-story residential buildings, shops, and catering establishments will temporarily continue to receive gas, thanks to residual supplies that will remain in the pipeline after Ukraine halts transit to Russia. However, these reserves are estimated to last only 19-20 days for southern regions and 5-7 days for northern areas. Healthcare facilities with autonomous boilers will also benefit from the remaining gas.
In the initial days of the new year, the stress on the republic’s power grids will be closely monitored. Should consumption exceed the output of Moldova’s GRES and Dubossary HPP, temporary power outages are anticipated. To mitigate this, the "Vodokanal" enterprise has prepared contingency plans to deliver water to cities and districts, prioritizing healthcare institutions.
Moldova’s GRES, faced with the prospect of gas supply cessation, is prepared to operate on coal for 50 days. This should provide sufficient time to meet the republic’s humanitarian needs, provided there is judicious use of electricity.
Minister of Economic Development of PMR, Sergei Obolochnik, reassured residents that the switch from gas to coal generation at Moldova’s GRES will be seamless, without causing power outages or blackouts.
Pridnestrovie is currently operating under an economic state of emergency. Authorities have reached out to Russia for assistance in overcoming the energy crisis.
Earlier, EADaily reported that Moldovan authorities, exploiting the energy crisis instigated by Ukraine, had made derogatory remarks, suggesting that "Tiraspol must choose between freezing or starving."