After gas was cut off, the power plant of the breakaway region in Moldova switches to coal

Transdniestria's main power plant has switched to coal since Russian gas supplies were halted Jan. 1. It should be able to provide electricity to residents of the breakaway region in January and Febraury, according to the leader of the region.

The cutting off of Russian gas through Ukraine on Wednesday has caused heating and hot-water supply cuts in the mostly Russian-speaking territory, which split from Moldova early in the 1990s. Russia also has 1,500 soldiers in this area.

Transdniestria leader Vadim Krsnoselsky stated in a late-night statement on Wednesday that gas reserves in the region could last 10 days in the northern part and twice that in the southern.

He called the energy crisis a serious test but added that the authorities of the unrecognised country had taken other measures in preparation, including switching the power station to run on coal.

He said that officials were continuing to provide gas to apartment blocks so residents could cook. Schools were also being converted to remote-controlled regimes. And 30 points were equipped in the area to provide warm food and warmth to people.

Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, has announced that it will take measures to reduce energy consumption by at least one third. The country plans to import 62% of its energy needs from Romania, while meeting 38% through domestic production. (Reporting and writing by Alexander Tanas, Anastasiia Malenko; editing by Angus MacSwan).

(source: Reuters)