“We have requested a full report on the current situation in the energy system and an action plan with specific deadlines that will allow us to return to normal. Our goal is clear: as early as next week, we can go to Parliament with ready documents and propose the lifting of the state of emergency on condition of safety for citizens. This is our goal – to act consciously and professionally,” Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said.
He said the state of emergency was not political and was conditioned by the need to promptly respond to risks in the energy sector and ensure the stability of the system.
“The state of emergency was necessary because it gave us concrete tools. For example, we were able to intervene quickly to find and deliver the necessary equipment – unique equipment that cannot be bought in a regular store, including through direct cooperation with partners from the region. We gained flexibility in managing energy contracts and thus avoided more expensive scenarios. During this difficult period, we did not resort to purchasing emergency energy. Several countries put up a protective shield to help us and cover this significant shortfall of 300 megawatts. Now we can say that there was a serious risk of blackouts all over the country, including in the Chisinau municipality,” the prime minister said.
He emphasized that after the completion of repair works at key energy facilities, including the Vulcanesti-Isaccea line, the system goes through a stage of testing, verification and balancing.
“The restoration does not mean automatic full stabilization of the system from the first day. Several days are needed to confirm the stable operation without serious defects,” the prime minister said.
The prime minister said the state of emergency was never a political measure.
Meanwhile, the prime minister said the situation in the energy sector remains tense and “this is not the end.”
“You are, of course, following the situation on the fuel market. The news that comes from abroad is not the most favorable. In Bucharest today I discussed it with my Romanian colleagues. This is an emergency situation that hasn’t happened for many years, perhaps decades. And the state of emergency has been imposed in many countries for several months – in countries that are more vulnerable than we are,” Munteanu concluded.
On March 25, the Parliament introduced a state of emergency in the energy sector to ensure prompt interventions, coordination between institutions and urgent decisions in order to prevent serious failures and protect consumers and the economy.
