Moldovan parliament approves introduction of state of emergency in energy sector

MEPs have approved a 60-day state of emergency in the energy and hydraulic sectors due to the growing risk of rising gas and fuel prices and drought. The decision was supported by 54 deputies out of 101, TVR Moldova reports.

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan said that Moldova is facing a crisis due to several external factors. Among them, he listed clashes in the Persian Gulf, the destruction of oil refineries due to the fighting in Ukraine, as well as drought that affected the production of hydropower. “All this coincided at the same time, and this is indeed a very serious problem,” said Mr. Tofan.

The project on the introduction of the state of emergency was developed by the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Environment and the National Management Center. It is noted that the initiative is necessary to prevent fuel shortages, maintain uninterrupted electricity, gas and heat supply, as well as to solve the problem of shallow water in the basins of the Dniester and Prut rivers. Opposition parties have criticized the project. Pietro Burdua, a member of the Socialist Party of Moldova, said that the previous state of emergency had not led to lower fuel or energy prices.

President Maia Sandu said that due to the drought, the flow of the Dniester River has decreased significantly. This has affected electricity generation. The country is completely dependent on energy imports, and the price of gas on the European market has risen 2.5 times over the year. The state of emergency for 60 days was already introduced in Moldova in March due to the shutdown of the Isakcha-Vulcanesta power line.