Moldova announces 60-day state of high alert in the energy sector, which provides for restrictions on the export of petroleum products, facilitation of fuel imports into the country, and a ban on electricity exports during peak hours
Government adopted this decision at a meeting on Wednesday, at the initiative of the National Crisis Management Center, at the request of the Ministry of Energy and the National Energy Regulatory Agency. According to the Cabinet, this is a preventive measure aimed at protecting the country's energy security and ensuring an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products to citizens and the economy. The high alert regime provides for the introduction of temporary conditions and restrictions on the export of petroleum products, which will be applied in the event of a decline in reserves below a safe level. During peak hours, priority will be given to domestic electricity consumption to ensure the stability of the energy system, and state fuel reserves will be replenished. The state of high alert is less severe than a state of emergency and is introduced to prevent any risks of disruptions in the supply of petroleum products and electricity. The supply of petroleum products and electricity is not being interrupted and will not be interrupted, and reserves for the next 30 days are guaranteed for consumption. The government noted that, in particular, in the context of recent events in the Middle East and the potential consequences for Moldova, the National Crisis Management Center held a series of operational meetings with representatives of 13 relevant state agencies and conducted a risk analysis in three priority areas: energy security and supply routes; economic impact, including price dynamics; and state security and citizen safety. Based on the analysis, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to introduce 60-day state of high alert in the energy sector. This is a preventive mechanism with clearly defined actions, limited in duration and scope, designed to help manage potential risks. As noted by the government, the situation does not require exceptional measures, so the introduction of a state of emergency is not currently necessary. The high alert regime in the energy sector provides for ensuring minimum reserve stocks of petroleum products, with an emphasis on the terminal in the port of Giurgiulesti; regulating the export of electricity from renewable sources at certain intervals to protect the national energy system; preparing for the start of the agricultural season, which involves high consumption of diesel fuel. In particular, it has been agreed that the Customs Service will allow the export/re-export of basic standard petroleum products from the port of Giurgiulesti only if the volumes of fuel stored at the terminal exceed the established limit of 8,000 tons of gasoline and 25,000 tons of diesel fuel. The general operator of the port will provide the Customs Service with daily information on the stocks of standard petroleum products stored at the port. Basic standard petroleum products placed in free circulation (import), temporary storage, and customs warehousing cannot subsequently be placed in export/re-export. The customs service will prioritize customs clearance of petroleum products in free circulation (imports) by creating special customs corridors designed to ensure the smooth flow of trade and reduce processing times. The Material Reserves Agency will replenish state reserves of essential petroleum products to the maximum level provided for in the Nomenclature of Material Goods in State Reserves, within the limits of available storage facilities. The export of electricity will be prohibited between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., except on Sundays and public holidays specified in the Labor Code. Electricity producers or suppliers in the domestic market who have not concluded electricity purchase and sale agreements in the domestic market will trade electricity on the day-ahead market and the intraday market in Moldova. As noted by the Cabinet of Ministers, supplies of energy resources and petroleum products to Moldova continue as usual, and the measures taken are preventive and organizational in nature to avoid any disruptions. Citizens are urged to trust the authorities and avoid excessive fuel purchases, as the state of high alert was introduced precisely to ensure sufficient supplies and prevent a possible shortage. By Friday, March 6, at 10:00 a.m., agencies must submit updated plans that include short-term (10 days), medium-term (1 month), and long-term (3 months) measures to strengthen the state's prevention and response capabilities. // 04.03.2026 — InfoMarket
