Prime Minister in Parliament: State of emergency in energy sector achieved goal. Government will continue risk management through mechanisms of state of alert

The state of emergency in the energy sector has achieved its goal – we have overcome the acute phase of the crisis, but the risks have not disappeared. Thus, the Government will continue to manage them through the mechanisms of the state of alert – which allow us to intervene rapidly, monitor stocks on a daily basis and protect vital consumers, as long as regional volatility persists. The statement was made today by Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, who presented in the plenary of Parliament the actions taken during the state of emergency in the energy sector and requested the termination of this measure.

The official highlighted that on April 25 it will be one month since the state of emergency was introduced, at a time when the Republic of Moldova was facing two major risks simultaneously: pressure on the power system and disruptions on the fuel market.

“Back then we 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 kept this commitment. The state of emergency was not a whim. It was a carefully considered decision, not one taken in haste. It was a decision of responsibility at an important and critical moment. After the March 23 attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the Vulcănești–Isaccea line became unavailable. Imports on this route dropped to zero. The system faced a deficit of almost 400 MW. At the same time, diesel stocks had fallen to a critical level of seven days of consumption. Under these conditions, the tools available under the state of alert were no longer sufficient to intervene rapidly on the market,” said Alexandru Munteanu.

The official noted that the actions taken made it possible to avoid uncontrolled disconnections, maintain supply to vital consumers and ensure system balance under deficit conditions.

“Isaccea–Vulcănești line was brought back into operation in just five days – through accelerated procedures and the use of available equipment in emergency mode. Under normal conditions, this work would have taken weeks or even possibly months. We covered consumption through commercial purchases. Over 81,000 MWh of electricity were procured, at an average price of approximately 136 euros/MWh. Without these commercial purchases, the energy would have been bought 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 remarked.

With regard to the fuel market, Alexandru Munteanu stressed that, thanks to the measures implemented, a fuel shortage was prevented.

“We adjusted the price formation mechanism from 14 to 7 days, to allow import continuity 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 released 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 pointed out.

The leadership of the Cabinet of Ministers 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 is today in front of Parliament exactly as it promised: we are requesting the termination of the state of emergency when conditions allow. Today, these conditions are met. Accordingly, we ask for your support for repealing the state of emergency. In parallel, the Government will continue to apply the necessary measures to protect citizens and the economy,” concluded Alexandru Munteanu.

The state of emergency in the energy sector was declared on March 25, 2026, for a period of 60 days. This was necessary after the main electricity supply line of the Republic of Moldova – the Vulcăneşti–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 oil products market was affected by temporary supply disruptions, especially for diesel, against the backdrop of instability in the Middle East.

After the state of emergency is lifted, the Government will introduce a state of alert for a period of 60 days, starting on April 25 this year. This will allow continuous monitoring and rapid interventions to ensure the security of electricity and oil product supplies, depending on how the risks evolve.