Ukraine to send experts to Moldovan State District Power Station to boost capacity

“If they don’t know how to use our coal, we’re ready to help,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, noting that Ukraine had already consulted with Moldova on the issue. “We can send a team of specialists who will quickly resolve this at the station, and Tiraspol is aware of this.”

He explained that while Moldovan State District Power Station currently produces 200–220 MW of electricity, Ukrainian experts could boost its output to 2 gigawatts, ten times more than needed.

“If we provide them with coal at a low price — or even for free — we can get electricity in return. It’s a fair trade: we give coal, they get electricity for Moldova, and we get electricity for ourselves,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

On Jan. 25, Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced she had arrived in Kyiv at Zelenskyy’s invitation to discuss security, energy, infrastructure, trade, and mutual support on the path to EU integration.

Earlier, on Jan. 8, Zelenskyy had spoken with Sandu by phone and offered Ukrainian assistance to help Moldova cope with its energy challenges, including providing coal.

The energy crisis in Transnistria has led to the shutdown of all industrial enterprises in the region.

On Jan. 2, Moldovan government spokesperson Daniel Vode said Russia had cut off heat supplies to Transnistria and was attempting to pressure Moldova via Gazprom.

Transnistrian separatists have demanded Moldova pay for Russian gas supplies to the unrecognized region. Transnistrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky claimed Moldova was attempting to shift a $709 million debt to Gazprom onto Transnistria.

Moldova, however, has secured alternative sources of electricity and avoided a blackout. The country also offered Transnistria help with gas purchases, but the separatist region declined, resulting in widespread power outages.