The European Union has proposed a 30-million-euro emergency assistance package to support Moldova in financing the purchase and transport of natural gas to the Transnistrian region until 10 February.
Through the funding, Moldova could purchase gas from providers in Ukraine and the European market. The EU can also support the allocation of transmission capacity along the entire gas delivery route from Bulgaria and Romania to the entry points of the Moldovan gas transmission system. The option to provide support via coal deliveries from Ukraine is also being explored.
In addition, a more comprehensive EU energy support package is being prepared, aiming to mitigate the consequences of the crisis and reduce the pressure on energy prices, while laying the groundwork for long-term energy stability and resilience in Moldova. It will build on Moldova’s Growth Plan, which is being finalized.
So far, the EU has provided 240 million euros in direct budget support to Moldova’s energy system from 2021 to 2024. In the 2023-2024 heating season, more than 750,000 households benefited from compensation through the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund (EVRF).
Since 2022, Moldova’s grid has been connected to the European continental electricity network. On 1 December 2024, the export capacity from the EU to Ukraine and Moldova was increased from 1.7 to 2.1 gigawatts (GW), including 315 megawatts (MW) for Moldova. Later in December, an agreement was reached whereby Moldova could benefit from unused capacities from Ukraine.