Alert measures in energy sector adjusted by Government to strengthen market security and stability

The Government today approved a decision providing for the adjustment of alert measures in the energy sector. Thus, the initial actions were revised so as not to impose excessive constraints on the economy and port infrastructure, while maintaining an adequate level of energy security.

Director of the National Crisis Management Center Serghei Diaconu stated that the changes were proposed after several analysis and interinstitutional coordination actions were carried out for managing the alert status, with needs being identified for introducing adjustments to the already established measures in order to make state intervention more efficient and proportionate.


“These measures are preventive and proportionate and allow us to intervene in a timely manner to avoid major dysfunctions and to maintain the stability of the energy market. We also mention that these measures aim to prevent the occurrence of an energy resource deficit, to ensure the continuity of supply to final consumers, to stabilize the market, and to protect domestic consumption in the context of heightened regional volatility,” said Serghei Diaconu.


Thus, the minimum stock level required for the re-export of fuel from the Giurgiulești International Free Port (PILG) was reduced from 8,000 tons to 5,000 tons of gasoline, while for diesel it was maintained at 25,000 tons.


“The most important proposals concern introducing a limitation on the gasoline stock in PILG from 8,000 tons to 5,000 tons. We are in a better situation regarding gasoline imports, we have an excess and there is no reason to keep this gasoline in the port. But we are maintaining the limit of 25,000 tons in PILG so that we also have the necessary diesel stocks. In order not to keep and create unjustified bottlenecks, we consider this adjustment necessary,” explained Serghei Diaconu.


At the same time, following the amendments approved by the Government, the sale of diesel in consumer containers will be allowed up to a maximum of 20 liters.


“We have several reported cases of speculation and abuse, as well as unjustified purchases by private individuals at petrol stations in non-compliant containers. That is precisely why we are proposing to temporarily limit the sale of diesel in consumer containers to a maximum of 20 liters to prevent such excessive purchases and abuses. I repeat, this is not about limiting to 20 liters in total; you can fully fill your vehicle’s tank, that is, the entire capacity of the car, plus fill one compliant container of 20 liters. But we have situations where people come with containers of more than 200 liters, and that creates pressure on the market,” stressed the CNMC director.


At the same time, the ban on electricity exports during the 06:00–09:00 time slot has been lifted, with restrictions being maintained only for the evening peak hours (17:00–21:00).


“In the electricity segment, another proposal is the adjustment of export restrictions. Thus, we are moving to relax morning exports; we will continue to restrict only green electricity exports in the afternoon period, because we currently have an excess and we want this balancing to be fair, both in favor of citizens and in favor of energy producers,” Diaconu emphasized.


In addition, electricity market participants who do not hold contracts on the domestic market will no longer be remunerated for positive imbalances (unplanned surplus energy delivered).


“In the draft decision we specify that the possibility will be removed for electricity producers or suppliers who do not have contracts on the domestic market to request remuneration for positive imbalances. This is a measure to eliminate abuses and to rule out the tricks of those who are exploiting this period for illicit profits,” concluded the CNMC director.


The authorities gave assurances that these interventions are preventive and temporary, aimed at stabilizing the market and ensuring the continuity of essential services for the population under conditions of regional uncertainty.

On March 4, the Government declared an alert status in the energy sector for a period of 60 days, in connection with the external situation. According to the authorities, the measure is preventive and aims to protect domestic consumption and maintain the stability of the energy system.