On Thursday, an interconnector connecting the gas systems of Bulgaria, Greece and Moldova was launched. This will help the country become independent of supplies from Russia.
On Thursday, gas was supplied through an interconnector connecting the transmission systems of Greece, Bulgaria and Moldova. The plant is part of the Southern Gas Corridor. Its capacity is 3 billion cubic meters. annually, with the possibility of increasing up to 5 billion rubles.
The facility is critical to the country’s energy security, which has been blackmailed by Russia’s Gazprom since the start of the war in Ukraine.
gas blackmail
When the long-term contract with Gazprom, which was the sole supplier of gas to this small country, expired in September 2021, Russia imposed prohibitive price conditions in September 2021. If until the summer of 2021 the government of Chisinau paid $200 per cubic meter, then in September the price jumped to $550, and the following month Gazprom increased the offer to $790. Moldova, the poorest country in Europe (its budget revenues do not exceed $2.5 billion), agreed to extend the contract for a month, after which gas supplies were reduced, and Moldova introduced a state of emergency.
More Threats
A few days ago, Gazprom again threatened to shut off the gas valve to Moldova. Reason: accusation of reselling gas to Ukraine. He retracted the threats on 28 November. Then it was reported that “Moldovagaz” paid for gas supplies that “remained” in Ukraine. The Russian supplier warned that it reserves the right to reduce or completely suspend gas supplies in the event of suspension of payments.
“A decision was made not to limit the gas supply to the Sudzha pumping station with transit to Moldova. At the same time, we draw attention to the regular violation of contractual obligations by the Moldovan side to pay for Russian gas supplies. Gazprom reserves the right to reduce or completely suspend gas supplies in case of violation of their payment.
Source: Wprost
