Serghei Diaconu on state of emergency: Any scheme in procurement procedures applied in crisis situations ruled out

Any procurement procedure applied in a crisis situation will be subject to oversight and will not allow schemes to emerge, director general of the National Crisis Management Center Serghei Diaconu said. The statement was made as authorities proposed declaring a state of emergency in the energy and water sectors for a period of 60 days.

Asked whether deviations from the standard procurement regime that could be applied in crisis situations might create opportunities for schemes, Serghei Diaconu ruled out such a scenario.


“Absolutely ruled out, because, as I have repeatedly said, in accordance with the amendments proposed and adopted regarding crisis management, we, as does the Government, are required whenever the National Crisis Management Center or the National Crisis Management Commission approves decisions to present them to the Government within no more than 72 hours, all decisions together with their full justification. Members of Parliament also have the right to intervene in these decisions,” Diaconu said.


According to him, measures adopted in crisis situations must remain within the limits of the Constitution and the law.


“Any scheme or deviation from norms that are constitutional or that would take place without oversight is ruled out. Therefore, no scheme or procedure that contravenes the Constitution, the interests of citizens or anything else is possible,” he said.


The Government approved the proposal to declare a state of emergency in the energy and water sectors nationwide for 60 days, starting on September 26. The proposal will be submitted to Parliament for consideration and approval. Authorities describe the measure as preventive, intended to enable rapid intervention in the event of disruptions to the supply of energy, fuel and water.

The states of alert previously declared in the two sectors expire on September 25. According to the authorities, the risks that led to their introduction persist, while the approaching cold season could increase pressure on the energy system and available resources.

This winter, approximately 59% of the Republic of Moldova’s electricity needs are expected to be covered through imports. During peak hours, the import requirement is estimated at 400–450 MW, of which approximately 360 MW represents guaranteed capacity.

Regarding natural gas, more than 90% of the requirements for the cold season have already been contracted. Authorities say there is currently no risk of insufficient gas volumes, but price developments on international markets pose financial risks and require additional resources for purchases and the replenishment of mandatory reserves.

The situation on the fuel market has improved in recent weeks. At the beginning of August, stocks covered approximately 3.5 days of consumption, and 109 stations reported shortages of certain products. Currently, stocks are estimated to cover around 10 days, while the number of stations reporting shortages has fallen to fewer than seven.

At the same time, authorities note that external risks persist amid disruptions in regional and international markets. The vulnerability of petroleum product supplies and the need to maintain sufficient reserves were previously among the reasons for introducing and extending alert measures in the energy sector.

Another risk is the severe hydrological deficit on the Dniester and Prut rivers. Low water levels could affect water intake capacity and, consequently, the supply of drinking water to the population.

Authorities emphasize that the risks in the two sectors are interconnected. Water intake, pumping and treatment infrastructure depends on electricity, while drought, in turn, reduces hydroelectric power production.

If approved by Parliament, the state of emergency will allow authorities, when necessary, to adopt temporary and proportionate measures to maintain energy and fuel reserves and imports, protect household consumers and critical infrastructure, and ensure continuity of water and energy supplies.

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan said that, in the period ahead, the Government must focus on measures that can reduce the impact of risks on the population, including by reviewing the support provided to households during the cold season.


“This winter, we will have to review the initial decision and increase compensation compared with the original plans. We must ensure that we cover a larger number of households. Last year, we covered 620,000 households and this year that figure will probably be even higher. We cannot control drought, war or fuel shortages, but there are things we can control. In this regard, the assistance provided to people by the Government becomes an absolute priority,” the prime minister said.


According to Tofan, the measures must be adopted in advance, before potential external risks turn into direct problems for the population. The authorities’ objective is to prevent shortages and disruptions and maintain the continuity of energy, heating, water and fuel supplies, as well as the operation of essential services.

The proposal to declare a state of emergency in the energy and water sectors will be submitted to Parliament for consideration and approval.