State to be able to intervene more quickly in energy alert situations; draft law to this effect registered in Moldova's parliament

A draft law aimed at strengthening the state’s intervention mechanisms in situations of energy alert or crisis has been registered in parliament by more MPs of the Action and Solidarity Party’s (PAS) faction. Lawmaker Radu Marian has made statements to this effect.

According to the authors, the legislative initiative is meant to provide state institutions with more effective tools for rapid response in the event of new shocks on the global energy market.

One of the main provisions of the draft concerns the extension of the powers of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), which will be able to adopt temporary derogations from the standard formula for calculating the cap price for standard gasoline and diesel during crisis or alert periods.

Thus, ANRE could adjust the reference period used for prices’ calculation, for example from 14 days to seven days, or could use alternative quotations for oil products.

The draft also provides for the removal of the obligation that imported fuels be transited exclusively through oil depots, which would allow direct delivery to filling stations. The authors say that this measure will reduce supply time and avoid overloading the storage infrastructure.

The document also proposes amending the rules on procurement contracts for roads’ construction and repair works. Contracting institutions would be able to adjust contracts under conditions other than the inflation index, in cases of excessive cost fluctuations of more than 15 per cent, confirmed by data from the National Statistics Bureau.

According to Radu Marian, the legislative amendments would help the authorities manage crisis situations.

“We propose adopting these measures, so that, in the event of new shocks on the global energy market, state institutions have the capacity to intervene in an efficiently and immediately,” said Radu Marian.

The draft is to be examined by parliament.

In recent weeks, the escalation of tensions in the Middle East has led to higher international prices for oil and oil products. These fluctuations have also been reflected on the market of Moldova, where petrol and diesel prices are adjusted based on the formula established by the National Energy Regulatory Agency.