Moldovan cabinet to ask parliament to declare state of emergency in energy sector

Chisinau, Dec. 11 /MOLDPRES/- Government has decided to ask Parliament to establish a state of emergency in the energy sector for 60 days, starting December 16, 2024. According to the proposal, the state of emergency would be set up throughout Moldova, on both banks of the Dniester.

The proposal came from Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian, who emphasized that cutting off gas supplies to the Transnistrian region by Gazprom will create an imminent humanitarian crisis in the Transnistrian region, as well as inevitable risks for the provision of the power sector throughout Moldova, on both banks of the Dniester.

"In the middle of winter we could run out of gas and electricity. The consequences are very serious, and it is the responsibility of the Government to do everything it can to avoid and minimize the effects of this risk, imposed by Gazprom's desire to leave the region without natural gas. Gazprom has an obligation, according to the contract, to deliver natural gas to the Moldovan border by September 30, 2026. Even if the existing gas transportation infrastructure makes it possible to ensure the transportation of gas needed to cover Moldova's consumption on both banks of the Dniester, there is a risk that consumers on the left bank will be financially unable to purchase natural gas and electricity produced by the Cuciurgan power plant at market prices," Serebrian said.

According to the official, the situation is also aggravated by the continuous bombardment of Ukraine's power generation and transportation capacities, especially the one near the Moldovan border, which put pressure on the energy system in the whole region. "Thus, it is possible that a much more complicated situation will arise than in November 2022, when, in addition to the risks related to the right bank, we could face a complicated humanitarian situation for the population on the left bank of the Dniester, which could be cut off gas, heat and electricity," he said.

According to the official, there are more than 300,000 Moldovans living in the Transnistrian region and they are at risk of finding themselves in an unprecedented situation.

Parliament will convene in a meeting on 12 December.