Voted by Parliament: state of emergency in energy sector to end on 25 April

The state of emergency in the energy sector will end on 25 April this year. A draft decision to this effect was approved today by Parliament, with the votes of 69 MPs. After it is lifted, the Government will declare a state of alert for a period of 60 days. This will allow continuous monitoring and rapid interventions to ensure the security of electricity and petroleum product supplies, depending on how risks evolve.

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu presented in the Parliament plenary the actions taken during the state of emergency in the energy sector and requested that this measure be terminated. He noted that the measures taken avoided uncontrolled outages, maintained the supply of vital consumers and ensured system balance under deficit conditions.

“Isaccea–Vulcănești line was brought back into operation in just five days – through accelerated procedures and the use of equipment available in emergency mode. Under normal conditions, these works would have taken weeks or even possibly months. We covered consumption through commercial purchases. Over 81 thousand MWh of electricity were procured, at an average price of approximately 136 euros/MWh. In the absence of these commercial purchases, the energy would have been procured in emergency mode, at prices at least twice as high as the mentioned price. Thus, additional costs were reduced to about 800,000 euros, compared to an estimated scenario of 1.6 million euros,” the official said.

Referring to the fuel market, Alexandru Munteanu stressed that the measures implemented succeeded in preventing a fuel shortage.

“We adjusted the price formation mechanism from 14 to 7 days, to allow the continuity of imports in a highly volatile context. We introduced targeted limits on sales in portable containers – up to 20 liters – to prevent excessive individual storage in barrels or other containers by people who were not buying for current consumption. In parallel, we increased stocks at system level and ensured market supply. We unlocked funds for imports and allowed flexibility in sales so that filling stations would not run out of product. The result: the market was stabilized and stocks increased. We avoided a major economic impact. A single day of diesel shortage would have meant losses of over 120 million lei,” the prime minister said.

The Government leadership emphasized that the state of emergency has achieved its purpose, with the acute phase of the crisis being overcome.

“However, the risks have not disappeared. That is why we are coming with a balanced decision. We are exiting the state of emergency, but not the responsibility we bear towards our citizens. The Government stands before Parliament today exactly as it promised: we are requesting the termination of the state of emergency when conditions allow it. Today, these conditions are met. Accordingly, we ask for your support to repeal the state of emergency. The Government will continue, in parallel, to apply the necessary measures to protect citizens and the economy,” Alexandru Munteanu underlined.

The state of emergency in the energy sector was introduced on 25 March 2026, for a period of 60 days. This was necessary after the main power transmission line supplying the Republic of Moldova – the Vulcănești–Isaccea line – was disconnected following Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure. As a result, an electricity deficit of up to 400 MW was recorded during peak hours.

During the same period, the petroleum products market was affected by temporary supply disruptions, especially for diesel, amid instability in the Middle East.