Gazprom to Halt Gas Supply to Moldova on January 1st

Investing.com -- Russia's state-owned energy company Gazprom announced on Saturday that it will halt gas supplies to Moldova starting January 1 due to alleged unpaid debts from the European Union candidate country. In response, Moldova has implemented emergency measures against potential power outages. Gazprom's online statement indicated that the company reserves the right to take additional measures, including the potential termination of its contract with Moldova's main gas operator, Moldovagaz. Gazprom holds a majority stake in Moldovagaz. The suspension of gas supplies will affect the Kuciurgan power plant, which is Moldova's largest energy facility and is located in the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria. In response to Gazprom's announcement, Moldova accused Moscow of using energy supplies as a political weapon. Gazprom is the main supplier to the Kuciurgan plant, which produces a significant portion of Moldova's electricity. The plant was privatized by Transnistrian authorities in 2004 and later sold to a state-owned company in Russia. Moldova, which has a pro-Western government, has repeatedly complained about Russian intervention and stated that it does not recognize the privatization of the plant.

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