Moldovan government introduces state of emergency in the energy sector for 30 days.
The Cabinet of Ministers adopted such a decision at a meeting on Friday and sent a request to parliament to declare state of emergency throughout Moldova for 30 days - from October 22 to November 20. The introduction of the state of emergency must be approved by Moldova’s parliament. As Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita noted, such a decision was required to bypass some of the procedures provided for by the law and speed up the purchase of gas from alternative sources. During the briefing, Gavrilita explained that a new round of negotiations with Gazprom had taken place in Moscow the day before, but there is no final decision yet. At the same time, there is a shortage of gas in the country - the required volumes of gas are covered only at 67%, due to which the pressure in the gas transmission network, especially in the north of the country, has reached a critical level. This could disrupt the functioning of Moldova’s gas systems. "Since Moldovagaz is unable to provide the necessary pressure in the gas network, the government is forced to urgently switch to an alternative plan and asks the parliament to introduce state of emergency in the energy sector," Prime Minister said. According to the approved government decree, during the state of emergency, the Commission for Emergency Situations of Moldova will issue separate decisions on the implementation of specific measures. In particular, a special regime will be established for the purchase of natural gas in an accelerated mode, funds will be allocated for the purchase of the required volumes of gas, and decisions will be made to ensure prompt actions to provide natural gas, including by deviating from regulations. If necessary, the rationalization of consumption of natural gas and other energy resources will be carried out. The Commission will ensure the adoption of decisions that will allow suppliers and distributors to legally act in order to purchase, transport and distribute natural gas throughout the country. At the same time, the Commission will coordinate the activities of the media to inform the population about the causes and extent of the emergency, about the measures taken to prevent danger, eliminate the consequences of this situation and protect the population, as well as to familiarize the population with the rules of conduct in an emergency and the special rules for the use of telecommunications. It is planned to create operational instruments for collecting payments from consumers for used natural gas, as well as to take other necessary actions to prevent, reduce and eliminate the consequences of natural gas shortage that caused the introduction of the emergency. Let us remind you that on October 15, by the decision of the National Commission for Emergency Situations in Moldova, it was announced a high readiness mode in the field of natural gas. This was done to prevent an emergency and prepare for any possible energy scenario. At the end of September, Moldovagaz and Gazprom extended the current contract for the supply of natural gas to Moldova only until the end of October with the purchase price of gas of about $790 per thousand cubic meters. Negotiations with Gazprom on the terms of supply (volume and price) of natural gas to Moldova continue. //22.10.2021 - InfoMarket.
