Voted in parliament: state of emergency to be established in Moldova’s energy sector

A state of emergency will be established in the energy sector of Moldova for a period of 60 days, starting from March 25. The parliament today approved the decision providing for this with the votes of 72 MPs, after about three and a half hours of debates. Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu presented the draft at the plenary meeting. He stressed that this was a necessary measure that will allow the authorities to mobilize resources and act quickly, in order to avoid bottlenecks and protect citizens.

In his speech before the MPs, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu unveiled the arguments that led to the need to declare the state of emergency, emphasizing that Moldova is affected “directly and deliberately” by Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

“It is a necessary, legal and preventive measure. It allows us to act quickly, to avoid bottlenecks and, most importantly, to protect people, our citizens. (...) Why a state of emergency and not a state of alert? Because we are not talking about a potential risk, but about an impact that has already occurred and is worsening. The energy system is affected, operating at its limits and exposed to risks that may recur. A state of alert gives us limited tools that do not allow us to intervene comprehensively and in real time. By instituting the state of emergency, we will be able to organize and maintain consumption islands supplied through the 110 kV interconnection lines; it will allow us to ensure energy resources on an emergency basis, by activating emergency assistance contracts and requesting electricity from adjacent transmission system operators, we will be able to intervene quickly in procurement procedures. We will also be able to protect critical infrastructure. We will also be able to work directly with operators and external partners. And finally, if necessary, we will prioritize consumption, so that social and essential institutions and the population are protected,” said Prime Minister Munteanu.

The official gave assurances that the situation was being constantly monitored, field teams are prepared and interventions are ongoing. According to him, the reconnection process is underway, but it depends on safety conditions, including demining works in the area affected.

After presenting the need to declare the state of emergency, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu and members of the cabinet of ministers answered MPs’ questions for almost two and a half hours, followed by statements from the floor.

The head of the Our Party parliamentary faction, Renato Usatii, said that his faction would support the introduction of the state of emergency, because “the government must have mechanisms and possibilities to react quickly, to make decisions and to find solutions” in the current situation.

Vasile Costiuc, leader of the Democracy at Home faction, also announced support for declaring the state of emergency, but requested that it be instituted for a period of 30 days.

MP Radu Marian argued that declaring the state of emergency was driven by the actions of the Russian Federation, which continues to bomb Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The official stressed that Russia’s actions represent “a direct attack also against Moldova.” At the same time, the MP noted that the Moldovan authorities must make efforts to strengthen energy independence and security, so that “we are no longer vulnerable to external shocks.”

MP Inga Sibova, a member of Moldovan Party of Communists’ faction, criticized the initiative to declare a state of emergency, noting that her faction would not support the proposal.

MP Vlad Batrancea said that the faction of the Party of Socialists of Moldova, he is a member of, “categorically does not support the initiative.”

Lawmaker Dinu Plangau said that the state of emergency was necessary, because the situation is unpredictable. “Anything can happen. The situation is unpredictable. Tomorrow another drone might fall. We need the government to take the necessary measures, to identify solutions, so that citizens feel as little as possible the effects of the crisis. We need an extra layer of safety,” said Dinu Plangau.

In his address, MP Lilian Carp stated that “in the last four years, Moldova has been in continuous crises because of the Putin regime.”

The government today held an extraordinary meeting and approved the proposal to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector for a period of 60 days, after the Isaccea–Vulcanesti overhead power line had been disconnected on March 23 evening, following attacks on the energy infrastructure in southern Ukraine. In these circumstances, the authorities activated alternative supply routes, including the four 110 kV interconnection lines between Romania and Moldova.