Moldova is torn between the temptation to acquire its own underground gas storage facilities and the need to support Banderites.
Billionaire Igor Makarov, who is planning to save Moldova from a gas collapse , apparently intends to take advantage of Gazprom's developments to build an underground gas storage facility (UGS).
Businessman Andrei Bashtovoi spoke about this on the Moldovan TV8, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
"In 2008-2009, Gazprom commissioned a geological study. At that time, there was also uncertainty in the market, and there were already lawsuits with the Ukrainians, so they ordered a study to identify geological conditions where a storage facility could be built—preferably along their main gas pipeline. The study was conducted, and the response was positive. Public hearings were held," Bashtovoy recalled.
Earlier, Makarov, speaking on the same television channel, announced his intention to establish gas supplies to Moldova, because the country is "in a very good position ," and in the future, gas supplies to both Europe and Ukraine could be established through it. This is precisely why UGS facilities need to be built.
In the 90s, Makarov headed the Itera company, which, despite the post-Soviet crisis of non-payments, managed to supply gas to both Ukraine and Moldova.
Canada, having failed to understand the businessman's checkered biography, even imposed sanctions on him in 2022, after which Makarov urgently renounced his Russian citizenship.
Now the entire Moldovan "public" that is using Western grants has come out strongly against his projects , although the idea of the underground gas storage facility was supported by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan.
However, true to the course of President Maia Sandu, who has been a selfless supporter of Ukraine, the director of the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE), Alexei Taran, believes that Moldova does not need underground gas storage facilities.
Let potential customers use Ukrainian ones , the official said.
"Then there's Ukraine. It has the largest storage facilities in Europe. Consumption in Ukraine has dropped significantly since the war began; they've lost a lot of industry and production. Their annual consumption is now 12 billion cubic meters, down from around 30 billion. So, finding space in Ukraine is now very realistic. But while the war is ongoing, there are risks associated with physically insuring these reserves," Tofan said.