The authorities are set to declare a state of emergency in the energy and hydrological sectors. The decision was agreed upon during the National Security Council meeting, announced President Maia Sandu. The government will prepare the necessary measures plan, reports IPN.

According to the head of state, this decision is needed so that the authorities can act quickly in unforeseen situations, including if the water flow from the Nistru continues to decrease, if there is a need for rapid fuel purchases, or if fuel prices continue to rise.

At the same time, Maia Sandu stated that institutions must ensure the import capacity and alternative routes for electricity supply for the cold season. Among the measures envisaged are the possibility of using the interconnections with Romania in an emergency regime and maximizing the commercial capacity at the border between Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Moreover, the responsible institutions need to create reserves of equipment and spare parts for quick interventions in case of breakdowns.

The authorities are set to establish and maintain the necessary gas reserves and gradually prepare emergency stocks of petroleum products.

Another announced objective is to protect the population from the impact of rising energy prices. Maia Sandu said that the Government will ensure the necessary financial resources for the compensation mechanism to work throughout the entire cold season.

The compensations will take into account the evolution of tariffs and the degree of vulnerability of each household. The government is also set to provide information about the measures people can take to save energy and how they should proceed in case of temporary interruptions in the supply of gas, oil or electricity.

“I know that citizens are worried about the upcoming winter. The fact that we don’t know what the prices will be, that we don’t know how regional and international conflicts will evolve, all these unknowns weigh heavily on each of us,” said Maia Sandu.