Winter demand is approaching, while low river levels and tighter imports are forcing authorities to prepare restrictions before shortages reach essential services.
Moldova is preparing for possible disruptions to electricity, fuel and water supplies. Through Decisions No. 8 and No. 9 of September 25, the National Commission for Crisis Management approved a set of measures designed to protect domestic reserves and ensure the uninterrupted operation of hospitals, emergency services and critical infrastructure.
As reported by point.md.
At present, the country has sufficient supplies of electricity, fuel and water, but the risks of supply disruptions have increased. The situation is being affected by damage to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, limited opportunities to import electricity, instability in international gas and fuel markets, as well as drought and extremely low water levels in the Dniester and Prut rivers.
As the cold season approaches, energy consumption is expected to rise. The authorities therefore plan to limit the use of resources for non-essential needs in advance and prepare contingency scenarios in case the situation worsens.
The aim of these measures is to prevent problems rather than wait for them to arise. The state will preserve available energy for domestic consumption during peak demand hours, ensure electricity supplies to hospitals and essential services, accelerate fuel deliveries to the country, maintain reserve stocks and restrict the use of water for non-essential needs. At the same time, contingency solutions have been prepared in case the situation deteriorates: emergency electricity supplies from neighboring power systems, additional domestic generation, alternative water sources, artesian wells, high-capacity pumps and water deliveries to settlements that may face disruptions.
National Commission for Crisis Management
Electricity: priority for hospitals and critical facilities
In the event of significant strain on the power system, hospitals, emergency services, water intake and pumping stations, as well as other vital facilities, will receive priority access to electricity.
During the period of peak consumption – from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – available electricity will be directed primarily to Moldova’s domestic needs. Exports will be limited during this time. If the shortfall cannot be covered through regular purchases, the authorities will be able to request emergency supplies from the power systems of neighboring countries.
Thermal power plants will be allowed to increase electricity generation in line with the needs of the power system. Energy generation and storage projects will go through the necessary procedures more quickly in order to increase available capacity and reserves ahead of the winter period.
Government bodies and institutions must reduce their consumption of electricity and fuel. Street lighting will be reduced where this can be done safely. Unnecessary lighting in public and commercial buildings will be switched off, while decorative and advertising lighting will be turned off.
Where possible, businesses with high energy consumption will be advised to shift energy-intensive processes to times outside peak hours. This should reduce the load and preserve electricity for hospitals, emergency services and critical infrastructure.
Fuel: restrictions on diesel sales in containers
To ensure stable supplies to filling stations, Moldova is tightening controls over fuel reserves and speeding up the delivery of new consignments.
At the Giurgiulești International Free Port, the export and re-export of gasoline and diesel fuel will be permitted only if at least 2,500 tonnes of gasoline and 7,500 tonnes of diesel fuel remain in storage. The decision provides for specific exceptions.
Fuel trucks will be given dedicated lanes when crossing the border, while trains carrying such cargo will receive priority on the railway. This is expected to reduce supply delays.
To prevent the stockpiling of large quantities of diesel in containers and the creation of an artificial shortage, sales of diesel in containers at filling stations will be limited to 40 liters. For specialized containers intended for refueling agricultural machinery, the limit will be 100 liters.
As long as standard diesel fuel is available at a filling station, it must be sold at the regulated price. Replacing it with more expensive types of diesel will not be permitted. Other available types of fuel may be sold only after the standard diesel reserves have been depleted.
Water: ban on watering and filling swimming pools
Drinking water for the population remains a priority. It must also be guaranteed for hospitals, social institutions, schools, emergency services and critical infrastructure. Before the cold season begins, the necessary volumes are to be secured for the operation of centralized heating systems.
For the duration of the state of emergency, water will no longer be withdrawn from the Dniester and Prut rivers for irrigation. Water from public systems and surface sources will be prohibited for needs that can be postponed, including:
The restrictions will apply throughout the day.
Water supply system operators must assess in advance how long they will be able to operate with their existing reserves, what alternative sources are available and what measures will be required if water availability falls by 10%, 20% or 30%.
If the centralized network in a particular settlement can no longer supply people with water, mobile water deliveries will be organized. Hospitals, social institutions, schools, emergency services and residents of affected settlements will receive water first.
Contingency measures include the use of high-capacity pumps, artesian wells and other verified underground sources. They will be used if water levels in the Dniester and Prut rivers continue to fall.
The measures approved by Decisions No. 8 and No. 9 will enter into force on September 26, 2026. The Ministry of Energy will coordinate action in the energy sector, the Ministry of Environment will oversee the hydrological sector, and the National Crisis Management Center will monitor the situation nationwide and oversee the implementation of the decisions.
The National Commission for Crisis Management will continue to monitor the situation and adjust the measures introduced as necessary.