October 24 (SeeNews) - Moldova is facing power shortages as a result of Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy system and cutbacks in gas volumes delivered by Russia's Gazprom, prompting the government to implement power saving measures, deputy prime minister Andrei Spinu said.
The government is now looking to sign contracts with other electricity suppliers, and will adopt measures to save electricity, Spinu said on Sunday in a post on social media.
In order to cover the deficit on Monday, Moldovagaz allocated extra gas from power utility Moldgres, located in the country's separatist pro-Russian region of Transnistria.
"Starting tomorrow, due to Russia's attacks on Ukraine's power system and the reduction of gas volumes by Gazprom, our country will have a shortage of electricity. Commercial contracts signed by Energocom will not cover all consumption between 07:00 and 23:00. Between these hours, in the following days we must do our best to save as much as possible. Each of us can help. If we act in solidarity and responsibility there will be no need to disconnect anyone," Spinu said.
Spinu also addressed entrepreneurs, asking them to turn off advertising or decorative lighting, change production hours and use individual generators where possible.
Earlier this month, Romanian hydropower producer Hidroelectrica signed a 100MW power supply contract with Moldovan energy trader Energocom, after capping the price of electricity exports to Moldova.
The decision was announced two days after Spinu said that Moldova is directly affected by Ukraine's decision to halt electricity exports following Russia's missile strikes on several Ukrainian cities on October 10. Moldova used to import 30% of electricity necessary for domestic consumption from Ukraine.