The Moldovan government has approved a package of measures to protect the energy system and reduce energy consumption during the state of emergency
At a meeting on March 25, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a set of measures aimed at improving the efficiency of energy consumption under the state of emergency declared at the national level. Specifically, thermal power plants will, at the request of the transmission system operator, increase electricity production to the maximum possible level while ensuring the safe operation of equipment and without disrupting the continuity of heat supply. If necessary, should domestic electricity consumption not be met, Moldelectrica will request emergency assistance from neighboring system operators under bilateral agreements to address the shortfall. Should the shortfall persist after all available measures have been implemented, Moldelectrica, in cooperation with distribution network operators, may resort to manual disconnections of end-users. The electricity transmission system operator Moldelectrica, in cooperation with Transelectrica, will ensure the accelerated construction of a 110 kV overhead power line connecting the 110/10 kV substation in Giurgiulesti and the 110/20 kV S.P.A. Dunarea substation. At the same time, to restore the operation of the 400 kV Vulcanesti–Isaccea line, the use of a procurement procedure via direct negotiations without a prior call for bids is permitted. To prevent grid overload, restrictions on electricity exports remain in place between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. At the same time, authorities are urging citizens to use electricity rationally, especially during morning and evening peak hours. The measures also include reducing electricity consumption in public and commercial buildings, where lighting will be cut by at least 30%, and the use of decorative and advertising lighting will be restricted. Energy-intensive industrial processes will be shifted outside of peak hours, and water supply systems will operate in an adapted mode to reduce the load on the power grid. Central and local authorities must identify measures to reduce consumption without compromising the operation of vital services. At the same time, an uninterrupted power supply is guaranteed for medical facilities, critical infrastructure, and emergency response services, which will be given priority in any situation. For the safety of citizens, residential building managers are advised to inform residents of the risks of using elevators during peak hours—from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. During the state of emergency, enforcement proceedings in which suppliers, distributors, and transporters of electricity, heat, and natural gas act as debtors are suspended, and the accrual of interest and penalties under such proceedings is also suspended. Regarding the supply of petroleum products, previously established measures remain in effect to maintain sufficient reserves in the domestic market. The export or re-export of petroleum products from the port of Giurgiulesti is permitted only if minimum reserves are exceeded—more than 5,000 tons of gasoline and 25,000 tons of diesel fuel. Import procedures will also be expedited through designated customs corridors, and the sale of diesel fuel in containers will be limited to small volumes to prevent market imbalances. For retail sales of diesel fuel at gas stations, in addition to filling a full tank, sales in containers of no more than 20 liters are permitted. At the same time, a resolution approved the previous day by Parliament declaring state of emergency in the energy sector was published in the Official Journal of Moldova (Monitorul Oficial) on March 25. Through this document, Parliament authorized the government, during the state of emergency, to take operational measures to ensure the supply of energy resources and equipment necessary for energy infrastructure; make decisions on the allocation of additional funds to purchase energy resources; establish measures to rationalize energy consumption, etc. The state of emergency has been declared for 60 days. //25.03.2026 – InfoMarket.
