Moldova Stockpiles Gas Reserves Amid Risks in Russian-Funded Supply Model
Moldova is stockpiling winter gas reserves for the breakaway region of Tiraspol, while warning that the current supply model poses severe risks. Deputy Prime Minister Valeriu Chiveri stated that natural gas supplies for the eastern districts are procured on European spot exchanges using funds provided by the Russian Federation.
Although supplies remain guaranteed through 2026, Chiveri stressed that this interim mechanism does not eliminate underlying structural vulnerabilities. He noted that current legislation requires Moldovagaz to build security reserves covering roughly two months of consumption, or 15% of average annual demand on the left bank.
The government retains access to a €60 million European Union contingency reserve for crisis situations, but Chiveri cautioned that the financial cushion would not offset every scenario should energy markets destabilise. Earlier in September, the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) more than doubled the volume of natural gas Moldovagaz must store for the 2026-2027 heating season.