Director of National Crisis Management center says proposal on declaring emergency state measure to protect national security of Moldova

The proposal to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector is a measure to protect national security, aimed at limiting the effects of the crisis and ensuring the operation of vital services – healthcare, social services, public order. The director of the National Crisis Management Center (CNMC), Serghei Diaconu, has made statements to this effect. At a today’s extraordinary cabinet meeting, he unveiled the draft decision on declaring the state of emergency.

Serghei Diaconu said that the decision was based on a risk analysis and on the need for urgent interventions to protect critical infrastructure and mobilize additional resources, in the context of Russia’s military attacks on infrastructure in southern Ukraine, which led to the shutdown of the 400 kV Vulcanesti–Isaccea overhead power line.

“This measure is one to protect national security, with the purpose of limiting the effects of the crisis and ensuring the operation of vital services – healthcare, social services, public order and others,” said Serghei Diaconu at the government meeting.

According to Diaconu, from the moment of the incident, which occurred on March 23 at 19:15, the Moldelectrica transmission system operator immediately activated safety protocols, and attempts were made to automatically reconnect the line, but they were not successful. The official pointed out that the technical faults identified on the territory of Ukraine, on the supporting elements of the conductors, indicate a severe short circuit that requires specialized interventions.

The 400 kV Vulcanesti–Isaccea line is the main import artery in the ENTSO-E system – the European network that coordinates electricity transmission system operators in Europe. Under normal conditions, it supplies between 60 and 70 per cent of the electricity consumption on the right bank of Moldova.

“At present, flows in this direction are at 0 MW, which generates an estimated deficit of up to 350–400 MW during peak hours starting tomorrow. Even though the system is currently operating in a stable manner, by using 110 kV lines in an islanded regime and through the reconnection of the 330 kV Balti–Dnestrovsk overhead line, these resources are limited and can cover only a fraction of the national demand,” the CNMC director noted.

Moreover, according to him, “the restoration process is hampered by the identification of remnants of crashed drones near the affected infrastructure on the Ukrainian side, making demining work necessary before technical teams can fully and safely intervene.”

“In the context, declaring the state of emergency is not just a formality, but a legal mechanism that provides the necessary tools to prevent massive damage to the system. First, it allows for rapid decision-making to secure energy resources, including through derogations from standard procurement rules, in order to guarantee continuity of supply to citizens. Second, it provides the framework for the immediate allocation of the financial resources needed to purchase energy and emergency equipment. Third, it allows the government, if necessary, to order the rationing of consumption and impose special operating rules on economic operators, so that we protect critical economic assets and social institutions,” said Serghei Diaconu.

At the same time, the official stressed that this regime facilitated centralized strategic coordination through the CNMC, ensuring constant communication with partners of Romania and Ukraine, as well as accurate informing of the population  about necessary saving measures. In parallel, technical teams continue permanent monitoring and field inspections.

The government today approved the draft decision on introducing a state of emergency in the energy sector for a period of 60 days, starting on March 25. Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said that this was a necessary measure, in order to mobilize resources and to act quickly, in a coordinated way and in the interest of the people.

The document is to be submitted to parliament for examination and adoption. Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu informed that that parliament would convene at a meeting starting from 17:00, to examine the draft decision.