President Maia Sandu has called for the introduction of a state of emergency in Moldova across both its energy and hydrological sectors as a global energy crisis puts severe pressure on national utility supplies.
Speaking in statements reported by news outlet NewsMaker, Sandu said serious measures are necessary to ensure that the population of the country continues to receive water, fuel, and natural gas.
Sandu drew attention to soaring market prices for natural gas and fuel, as well as a drop in water levels across the country's rivers. She stated that the fall in river levels combined with fuel price increases has driven a sharp jump in electricity costs.
Moldova is a landlocked republic in Eastern Europe situated between Romania and Ukraine, with its national capital in Chisinau. Sandu, a former World Bank economist who previously served as the country's prime minister, has been president of the republic since December 2020.
NewsMaker is a digital news publication based in Chisinau that covers Moldovan political, economic, and social affairs.
Securing energy imports and equipment
To address the mounting strain on utilities, Sandu stated that state bodies must secure opportunities for power imports and establish alternative supply routes for electricity.
Government agencies must also form reserves of equipment and spare parts so emergency crews can quickly fix potential system failures or breakdowns. In addition, Sandu stressed that building up emergency reserves of petroleum products is essential for maintaining essential services.
Moldova relies heavily on imported fuel and regional supply networks to fulfill its national energy needs. The country's hydrological sector depends on major river systems such as the Dniester and Prut for municipal water supplies and hydroelectric power, making low river levels a direct risk to utility generation.
Preparations for a difficult winter
Moldovan authorities have already been preparing for a difficult winter amid a massive increase in natural gas tariffs.
Those preparations follow a decision taken in August, when the authorities resolved to increase the natural gas tariff by 41 percent.
Energy tariffs and seasonal utility management represent critical economic issues in Moldova, where consumer energy demand increases sharply during the cold winter months.
