Following Russia’s most recent missile assaults against Ukraine, Moldova experienced extensive power outages that lasted at least an hour, Bloomberg reported.
On Tuesday, almost 100 rockets were fired across Ukraine, striking both civilians and vital infrastructure. That had an impact on Moldova as one of its electrical lines had been immediately shut down for safety reasons.
“Following Russia’s bombardment against the Ukrainian energy system in the last hour, one of the power lines that ensures the transport of electricity for our country has been disconnected,” said Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu in a statement, as cited by The Associated Press. “This has led to massive power outages across the country.”
Since October, when Russian airstrikes began targeting the Ukrainian power plants that had provided around 30% of Moldova’s electricity, the country has experienced power outages. This month’s scenario deteriorated after Moldova failed to sign a deal with its main power supplier, a plant situated in its pro-Russian breakaway area, as a result of a decline in Russian gas deliveries, according to Bloomberg.
Following Russia’s abrupt reduction in natural gas shipments, Moldova was already having trouble obtaining adequate energy.
Typically, the Transnistria region’s gas-fired power facilities supply the nation with 70% of its electricity.
Moldova is already one of the nations in Emerging Europe that has been most negatively impacted economically by the conflict in Ukraine.
Natalia Gavrilita, the prime minister of Moldova, has requested financial assistance from its European allies in the amount of €450 million, estimating the cost of the country’s energy problem this winter at €1.1 billion.
Last week, the European Commission announced new assistance measures that will provide Moldova with the necessary energy support “as it goes through the winter,” EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen informed.
“First, we are pledging €200 million to help Moldova meet its gas supply needs. This will consist of €100 million in grants and €100 million in loans. The money should be available from January 2023,” the EU Commission’s head said at a media briefing with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Chisinau.
