Moldova to lift energy state of emergency following power grid restoration
The Moldovan Government will propose to Parliament next week the lifting of the energy state of emergency, originally enacted on March 25. Additionally, the environmental alert for the Nistru river basin has expired and will not be extended.
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu announced the decision during the cabinet meeting on April 1. He emphasized that the emergency measures were strictly technical and necessary to maintain the integrity of the national power system.
"I have said it from day one: this measure was never political," stated PM Munteanu. "It allowed us to intervene rapidly, avoid major risks, and keep our energy system functional."
The decision follows the successful restoration of the Vulcănești–Isaccea power line. This critical infrastructure was disabled on March 23 after Russian strikes on the Ukrainian energy grid caused significant disruptions.
While the line is back in operation, the Prime Minister noted that the system requires a period of testing and rebalancing. Moldova is currently integrated into the European ENTSO-E grid, adding a layer of complexity to its stabilization.
Government data shows that on March 27, the country faced a 300 MWh electricity deficit. However, the crisis was managed with support from international partners without resorting to expensive emergency procurement.
"We had the flexibility to manage energy contracts and avoid more costly scenarios," Munteanu added. He noted that emergency energy purchases, which would have heavily impacted the national budget, were avoided.
The Prime Minister reassured the public that emergency powers would not be kept "a single day longer than absolutely necessary." He acknowledged that such measures can create market and public anxiety.
The Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Environment will now submit detailed reports to the National Crisis Management Center. These reports will outline "lessons learned" and future steps for long-term energy resilience.
The state of emergency was originally voted by Parliament on March 24. It empowered the state-owned TSO, Moldelectrica, to make direct purchases and suspended energy exports during peak hours to prioritize domestic consumption.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
