COPANCA, Moldova — In the village of Copanca, situated in southern Moldova, the frequent electricity outages have forced its residents to adapt to a new reality. For 73-year-old retiree Vasili Donici, the lack of electricity means spending his time with crossword puzzles lit by a small gas lamp. “It’s somewhat challenging without access to electricity,” shared Donici, a former deputy school director. He has gathered firewood to keep his wood stove operational, ensuring warmth for himself and his wife during the cold months. However, he remarked, “There’s still gas… but it’ll run out soon.”
Copanca is just a few kilometers from the self-proclaimed pro-Russian Transnistria region, an area where many residents are currently enduring extreme hardships due to Russia’s suspension of gas supplies on January 1. The cessation of gas was reportedly linked to a $709 million debt issue from past supplies to Moldova, leaving hundreds of thousands without heating or hot water. The Russian state energy company Gazprom halted supplies a day after a gas transit agreement with Ukraine expired, disrupting operations at Transnistria’s Kuciurgan power plant, which is vital for providing electricity to both the separatist region and surrounding Moldovan areas, including Copanca.
Due to this situation, planned power outages in Copanca and similar villages are now routine, with electricity typically cut for four hours at a time twice daily. Although the Kuciurgan power plant has begun using coal, which has led to unexpected outages, some residual gas still remains in the system. “It’s difficult to cope with both electricity and gas shortages,” expressed Donici. He mentioned that the power was out for eight hours the previous day, noting the community’s collective anxiety and uncertainty about staying warm during the frigid winter.
The Moldovan government, aligned with Western interests, claims a debt of around $8.6 million, stating that Moscow is leveraging energy as a political weapon to destabilize Moldova, which aspires to join the European Union. In a press briefing earlier this week, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean accused Russia of deliberately engineering an energy crisis to instigate regional instability and influence the upcoming parliamentary elections set for 2025. Recean articulated that the ultimate goal is to install a pro-Russian administration in Moldova, thus enhancing Russia’s military presence in Transnistria and using it strategically against Ukraine.
Transnistria, a breakaway territory with a population of approximately 350,000, declared a state of emergency last month due to the impending energy crisis. A significant portion of its inhabitants speak Russian, and around 200,000 hold Russian citizenship. Furthermore, Russia maintains about 1,500 troops in the region as part of a peacekeeping mission. The Moldovan government has routinely accused Russia of waging a hybrid war through electoral interference, funding opposition protests, and spreading disinformation.
To address the energy crisis, Moldova’s parliament recently implemented a state of emergency in the energy sector, recognizing the potential for a humanitarian crisis in Transnistria as winter temperatures can plummet well below zero. To mitigate the situation, Chisinau has initiated energy conservation measures since January 1, reducing lighting in public spaces and requiring high-energy businesses to operate during off-peak hours. Moldova’s state energy firm, Energocom, has also turned to its neighbor Romania for electricity, albeit at higher costs. Despite a relatively mild January, energy prices have surged, and the government has pledged to assist with electricity bill payments.
EU high-ranking official Kaja Kallas commented on the situation, stating that Russia is using gas as a coercive tool against Moldova, and emphasized that the EU’s support helps Moldova stay resilient and connected to European energy systems. Plans are underway to integrate additional towns near Transnistria into the national energy grid to bolster security against future outages.
Mayor Afanasii Cutzari of Copanca stated that the current planned power outages are manageable, although he fears the situation might worsen if gas supplies cease entirely. Many residents have purchased generators, but he noted they are not a comprehensive solution, as operating them can require knowledge, manpower, and finances. Certain local institutions, including a kindergarten and medical facilities, could face significant challenges if gas supplies run dry. Cutzari expressed, “It’s ideal for electricity and gas to always be accessible.”
Prime Minister Recean revealed that his government had proposed organizing gas procurement for Transnistria, but local authorities in Tiraspol have been uncooperative, asserting that decisions made there are often influenced by the Russian Federation to create instability in Moldova amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu visited Copanca recently and noted that power generators had been distributed to schools and kindergartens, with mayors being able to request aid for firewood and other resources from Chisinau. She emphasized the government’s commitment to finding alternatives for providing essential services like light, heat, and clean water.
In Copanca, local shop owner Carina Cazac observed that residents rushed to stock up on basic necessities such as oil and flour when the crisis erupted, causing supplies of generators and oil lamps to dwindle rapidly. “People were understandably anxious and began buying up gas lamps,” she said. She also remarked that while those living in rural areas may have wood stoves, the steep rise in prices means that not everyone can afford a generator.
The situation serves as a dire reminder of energy vulnerabilities in Moldova and the geopolitical tensions when energy resources become intertwined with political objectives.
