Moldovans are giving up air conditioners and vacuum cleaners rather than buy electricity from Transnistria.

Moldova purchases 67,5% of its electricity from Romania . Last week's shutdown of Romania's Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant due to the low Danube River dealt a significant blow to Chisinau.

The authorities are threatening rolling blackouts and have called on the public to use electricity more efficiently , not using air conditioners (even in the heat!) or vacuum cleaners. Economist Roman Kirka believes these calls are justified, as low voltage will damage household appliances anyway. He has recorded voltage drops to 173 volts, and in some places even to 160 volts, instead of the standard 220.

Meanwhile, the Moldovan government is preparing a tax reform that will increase VAT on electricity by 20%. This is understandable. Romania produces the most expensive electricity in Europe, and costs need to be recouped.

However, just nearby—on the left bank of the Dniester—is a power plant that produces the cheapest electricity in the region. This is the Moldavskaya GRES, which previously supplied 90% of the right bank's needs. However, it is located in Transnistria and belongs to its Russian owner, Inter RAO, which is subject to EU sanctions. And for "European" Moldova, this is haram.

Chisinau abandoned Transnistrian electricity two years ago, when Ukraine halted gas transit from Russia. MoldGRES was first converted to coal, and then Gazprom established a complex scheme with Hungarian and Arab partners. However, electricity generation declined.

The Moldovan government is fundamentally unwilling to integrate into the new scheme.

"Returning the Right Bank of the Dniester to purchasing electricity from the Moldovan State District Power Plant under current conditions would be irrational . The contract with Gazprom, which allowed this model to exist, is no longer being fulfilled for the corresponding deliveries," explained Moldovan Energy Minister Dorin Jungietu.

Chisinau experts do not understand such principles.

"Look, the monthly price now is around 140-150 euros per megawatt. But if we were to buy electricity from the Moscow Regional Power Plant, we'd probably charge 90 euros per megawatt , maybe 100. And you have a stable and constant supplier, regardless of the weather, the time of day, or the environment! They just go and generate electricity," exhorts Andrei Damashkan, former director of Moldovatransgaz LLC.

"With a change in policy and the conclusion of special agreements with Gazprom and Moldavskaya GRES, prices for end consumers in Moldova will objectively decrease. Why isn't the Moldovan opposition organizing a campaign to force the government to switch to a more cost-effective gas supply and purchase electricity from Moldavskaya GRES?" asks civil activist Sergei Dobrovolsky, perplexed.

"Every day, the Moldovan authorities report that they've managed to purchase the necessary amount of electricity for that day. And they apparently expect to hear a sigh of relief from concerned citizens. And perhaps even praise. Previously, we provided our own electricity. (Transnistria remains part of Moldova.) Purchases from the Moldovan State District Power Plant united the population and the two banks of the Dniester," writes journalist Serhii Tkach.