Prime Minister’s address in Parliament regarding lifting state of emergency in energy sector

I stand before you today to present the report on the actions undertaken during the state of emergency in the energy sector and to request the termination of this measure.

On April 25, it will be one month since the state of emergency was introduced. At that time, I promised two things: that we would act firmly and that we would be transparent. And that we would not maintain the state of emergency one day longer than necessary. We have honored this commitment.

The state of emergency was not a whim. It was a carefully considered decision, not one taken in haste. It was a responsible decision, made at an important, critical moment.

At that time, the Republic of Moldova was simultaneously facing two major risks: pressure on the power system and disruptions in the fuel market.

After the March 23 attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the Vulcănești–Isaccea line became unavailable. Imports on this route fell to zero. The system faced a deficit of almost 400 MW.

At the same time, diesel stocks had dropped to a critical level of seven days of consumption. The instruments available under the state of alert were no longer sufficient to intervene quickly in the market.

Under these conditions, we intervened. The results are clear.

We prevented uncontrolled outages.

We maintained supply to vital consumers.

We 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, this work would have taken weeks and possibly months.

We covered consumption through commercial purchases. Over 81,000 MWh of electricity were purchased, at an average price of approximately 136 euros/MWh. Without these commercial purchases, electricity would have been procured in emergency mode, at prices at least twice as high as the price mentioned.

Thus, additional costs were reduced to about 800,000 euros, compared to an estimated scenario of 1.6 million euros. In the fuel market, we prevented a shortage of fuels.

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 mobile containers—up to 20 liters—in order to prevent excessive individual stockpiling in barrels or other containers by people who were not purchasing for current consumption. In parallel, we increased stocks at the system level and ensured the market’s supply.

We unlocked funds for imports and allowed flexibility in sales, so that 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.

Therefore, the state of emergency has achieved its purpose. We have overcome the acute phase of the crisis. But the risks have not disappeared. That is why we are putting forward a balanced decision. We are exiting the state of emergency, but not the responsibility we bear toward our citizens.

The Government will continue to manage risks through the mechanisms of the state of alert—which allow us to intervene quickly, to monitor stocks on a daily basis, and to protect vital consumers, as long as regional volatility persists. It is important that we remain vigilant.

The Government stands before Parliament today exactly as it promised: we are requesting the termination of the state of emergency when conditions allow.

Today, these conditions are met. Therefore, we ask for your support to repeal the state of emergency. In parallel, the Government will continue to implement the necessary measures to protect citizens and the economy.