Operational Headquarters on Energy: situation as of January 20

The meeting of the Operational Headquarters on Energy was held in a video conference mode. Chairman of the Supreme Council Alexander Korshunov and members of Parliament took part in the meeting of the Operational Headquarters.

Minister of Economic Development Sergey Obolonik speaking about gas supply stated that the existing reserve at the current consumption will be enough for 11 days. Moldova does not allow humanitarian gas supplies from the Russian Federation.

Today, the PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky made an address in the course of the Operational Headquarters meeting. The fact that there would be problems with gas was already obvious in December, and on December 28, Moldovagaz officially notified Tiraspoltransgaz that gas would stop flowing to Pridnestrovie.

“We did not sit idly by and looked for real solutions to this problem of course. We found it. We found a Moldovan company that has a license – an international license for the supply and transportation of gas to Moldova and Pridnestrovie. We began to conclude contractual relations with this organization. We encountered simply fierce resistance from both Moldovagaz and Moldovan politicians – allegedly this company cannot supply gas to the left bank, that is to Pridnestrovie. We exchanged letters, exchanged opinions. But the main thing for me is not the letters or principles. Can this Moldovan company supply gas to Pridnestrovie, can this company not supply gas to Pridnestrovie, what is the Moldovan legislation, how is it read – here, probably, Moldovan lawyers need to figure it out more. If the company has a license, then it probably can. We have only one desire: for heat to reach people’s homes as quickly as possible, for people to receive gas and electricity in their living quarters, for the rest of the social infrastructure to receive heat and electricity. 

We agreed with the proposals of the Moldovan leaders, starting with the president, that Moldovagaz should supply gas to Pridnestrovie. Tiraspoltransgaz sent Moldovagaz a corresponding notification that Tiraspoltransgaz does not object and welcomes Moldovagaz's desire to supply natural gas to Pridnestrovie on Saturday, January 18. I would like to note at the same time that Tiraspoltransgaz guarantees payment for the supply, which is probably important," said PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky.

The President was informed in the course of Operational Headquarters meeting about emergency situations on the power grids. It was stated that no emergency situations have been recorded in the high-voltage transmission networks at the moment. As for the distribution networks, 922 accidents occurred on them over the past week, 2401 since the beginning of the month. 83585 subscribers were left without power – that is every third consumer in this regard. 46 teams of the Unified Distribution Electricity Networks company are involved in eliminating emergency situations. 1939 accidents were recorded in intra-house networks in the heat power industry, 24 in intra-block networks, and seven in main lines. Breaks in the water supply system: 33 in main networks and 53 in intra-block networks.

13565 calls were received by 0-800-22-800 hotline, 2059 of which were on issues of solid fuel supply, according to Vitaly Neagu. 358.5 warehouse meters of firewood were delivered free of charge at the request of citizens classified as privileged categories. Another 356 were prepared for use by citizens from their personal stocks with the assistance of the Main Directorate of Emergency Situations in sawing and chopping. Five cases of illegal tree felling were registered over 20 days of the current year. A reserve of timber for sale has been formed at city and district warehouses – 3895 warehouse meters. Vadim Krasnoselsky recalled the need to control and regulate pricing, emphasizing that a constantly replenished stock is an effective tool for preventing speculative manifestations.

There are information centers at the state administrations of cities and districts of the republic in addition to the single republican hotline, which have received more than five thousand requests.

The Minister of Internal Affairs said that since the beginning of the year, 47 fires have occurred in the republic due to reasons related to the operation of stoves, electrical appliances, and faulty electrical wiring. 24 people were poisoned by carbon monoxide in various circumstances, there are fatalities. Employees of the Main Directorate for Emergency Situations continue preventive work. 9830 raid visits to citizens have been conducted, 6153 heating units have been inspected since the beginning of the year.

Thirty points for heating and temporary stay of citizens have been deployed throughout the republic. They have been used by 197 people. The volunteer movement is active. The Cossacks provide assistance in various areas. 

Healthcare Minister Kristina Albul reported that there are currently 1770 patients in hospitals in the republic. The ambulance service received 757 calls. Minister of Social Policy and Labor Elena Kulichenko noted that in 24-hour care facilities that are subject to rolling blackouts, the premises noticeably cool down after five hours of power outage. The situation is most difficult when it comes to morning power outages – from seven in the morning until noon. They have to save themselves with extra clothes and blankets, which are issued to the wards in triple quantity.