Government approved set of measures to protect energy system and reduce consumption during state of emergency

The Government has approved a set of measures aimed at improving the efficiency of energy resource consumption, in the context of the state of emergency declared at national level. The decision comes as a result of major risks generated by the regional situation and is intended to maintain the stability of the power system and to ensure the prioritized supply of domestic energy consumption.

According to the Government decision, urban combined heat and power plants will ensure, at the request of the transmission system operator, an increase in electricity production up to the maximum available level, while observing the safety of plant operation and without compromising the continuity of heat supply. If necessary, in the event that domestic electricity consumption is not covered, in order to combat production shortages, the state enterprise “Moldelectrica” will request emergency assistance from neighboring system operators in accordance with bilateral agreements. If, after applying all available measures, the electricity deficit persists, “Moldelectrica”, together with the distribution system operators, will resort to manual disconnection of final consumers.

The electricity transmission system operator, the state enterprise “Moldelectrica”, in cooperation with “Transelectrica” S.A., will ensure the acceleration and prioritization of the construction of the 110 kV overhead power line connecting the Giurgiulești 110/10 kV substation and the 110/20 kV S.P.A. Dunărea electrical station. In order to restore the functionality of the 400 kV Vulcănești–Isaccea overhead line, “Moldelectrica” is allowed to apply the negotiated procurement procedure without prior publication of a contract notice.

To prevent overloading of the grid, the restriction on electricity exports between 17:00 and 21:00 is maintained. At the same time, citizens are encouraged to use electricity rationally, especially during peak hours in the morning and evening, when consumption is highest.

The approved measures also target the reduction of electricity consumption in public and commercial buildings, where lighting will be reduced by at least 30%, and the use of decorative or advertising elements will be limited. High-energy-consuming industrial activities will be rescheduled outside peak hours, and water supply systems will operate in an adapted regime in order to reduce pressure on the power grid.

Central and local authorities will identify solutions to reduce consumption without affecting the operation of essential services. At the same time, continuous power supply to medical and sanitary institutions, critical infrastructure, and emergency services is guaranteed, with these having absolute priority in any scenario.

For citizens’ safety, housing block administrators are urged to inform residents about the risks of using elevators during peak consumption hours, between 06:00–09:00 and 17:00–23:00, in order to avoid possible blockages.

During the state of emergency, enforcement procedures in which electricity, heat, and natural gas suppliers, distributors, and transporters are debtors are suspended, and the calculation of interest and penalties related to these procedures is also suspended.

With regard to the supply of petroleum products, the authorities have established measures to maintain sufficient stocks on the domestic market. The export or re-export of such products from the Port of Giurgiulești will be allowed only if certain minimum reserve levels are exceeded, namely if stocks exceed 5,000 tons for gasoline and 25,000 tons for diesel.

At the same time, import procedures will be accelerated through dedicated customs corridors, and the sale of diesel fuel in containers will be limited to small quantities in order to prevent imbalances on the market.

Furthermore, in retail sales of diesel fuel through filling stations, in addition to a full tank, sales in consumer containers are allowed only in quantities of up to 20 liters.

It should be recalled that the state of emergency in the energy sector was declared for a period of 60 days, in the context of Russia’s military attacks on energy infrastructure in southern Ukraine, which have also affected energy infrastructure owned by the Republic of Moldova and have led to the shutdown of the Vulcănești–Isaccea power line.