Starting today, a state of emergency has entered into force in the Republic of Moldova, which has been established for a period of 60 days. The decision was approved by the Legislature after last week Prime Minister Dorin Recean requested the Parliament to establish a state of emergency in the Republic of Moldova [1], due to the need to effectively manage the energy situation on the right bank of the Dniester River, as well as in the context of a potential humanitarian crisis in the Transnistrian region.

 

In this context, the authorities have finalized the measures to prepare for the 2024-2025 heating season and to mitigate the impact in the event of a cessation of natural gas supplies by Gazprom on the left bank of the Dniester, starting with January 1, 2025.

 

For the right bank, natural gas purchases for the entire winter season have been finalized, and gas stocks for the beginning of 2025 are estimated at approximately 110 million cubic meters, sufficient to cover consumption requirements and to ensure a security stock necessary for the country.

 

Regarding electricity, discussions between "Energocom" and the companies "Nuclearelectrica" ​​and "OMV Petrom" are underway to supplement electricity imports, and the authorities have strengthened efforts to increase domestic energy production. This means that, S.A. "Termoelectrica" ​​and S.A. "CET-Nord" reported additional production capacities to ensure continuous thermal energy supply in the municipalities of Chisinau and Balti. "Moldelectrica" ​​also successfully tested the island operation of the interconnection lines with Romania and is working on increasing the electricity import capacity, in collaboration with the European network ENTSO-E.

 

Currently, over half of the electricity consumption needs of the right bank of the Dniester are covered by MGRES, and the contractual obligations of the power plant on the left bank of the Dniester are valid until the end of December. The rest of the electricity is produced by thermal power plants and from renewable energy sources, but also from imports from Romania, within the limits of the capacities allocated by ENTSO-E for the Ukraine-Moldova block.

 

However, the electricity import capacity from the European Union is insufficient to cover consumption requirements during peak hours. Also, the interconnection with the Romanian electricity grid is vulnerable to interruptions, given that the Isaccea-Vulcănești power line crosses the territory of Ukraine and is exposed to the risks of attacks on energy infrastructure.

 

For this reason, the authorities urge the population to use electricity rationally, in order to reduce consumption, especially during peak hours.

 

Also during this period, the authorities of the Republic of Moldova requested the resumption of the activity of the Emergency Situations Management Center of the Commission for Emergency Situations, which will ensure the management of the energy situation in case of possible electricity disconnections, which will be announced without delay on the official channels of the Government, including in the context of attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine, or in the absence of an electricity supply contract with MGRES.

 

The responsible institutions in the energy sector of the Republic of Moldova remain committed to implementing preparedness measures and have reported significant progress in ensuring a stable and functional energy system.

 

Authorities and operators in the energy sector are carefully monitoring the evolution of the situation and will adopt the necessary measures to minimize the impact of the crisis on the population.