The reduced supply of gas from Gazprom to Moldova would add at least $180-260 million to import costs in the winter of 2022-2023 – the IMF.
This is stated in the materials of the International Monetary Fund, released after the completion of the IMF Executive Board second assessment of the implementation of the financing program for Moldova. It is noted that the Moldovan authorities' response to the energy crisis was flexible and comprehensive. Fund staff estimated that the reduction of gas supplies from Gazprom would add about $180-260 million to the import bill in winter 2022-2023, subject to further measures to rationalize gas use and improve energy efficiency; without the latter, the added value rises to $600-750 million. To help vulnerable households cope with sharp increases in energy tariffs (a fourfold increase in gas tariffs and approximately a twofold increase in heating and electricity tariffs in 2021-2022), the authorities are introducing a targeted social assistance program that helps vulnerable energy consumers through partial payment of their energy bills. With EBRD funding as well as budget resources, the authorities are also stockpiling natural gas, targeting sufficient storage to support consumption during peak winter months (approximately half of the target level was in storage by the end of November). // 16.01.2023 - InfoMarket.
