Moldova Declares State of Emergency Over Energy Crisis Amid Russian Gas Supply Fears

A Moldova parliament declared a state of emergency in the country's energy sector starting 16 December, fearing a shutdown of natural gas from Russia during the winter period. The measure, backed by an overwhelming majority in the 101-member parliament, will remain effective for 60 days during which time a special commission shall oversee emergency measures aimed at preventing various kinds of risks.

Prime Minister Dorin Recean warned of an "exceptional situation," as he expressed concerns that Moscow might weaponize energy supplies to destabilize Moldova. "This must be the last winter in our history where energy can be used to threaten us," Recean said. He pledged that no Moldovan would be left without heat or electricity, despite the challenges.

At the center of the crisis is the Kuciurgan power plant, Moldova's largest electricity provider, located in the separatist Transnistria region. The plant, reliant on natural gas from Russia's Gazprom, generates power for much of Moldova. Privatized by Transnistrian authorities in 2004 and later sold to a Russian state-owned company, its ownership remains disputed by Moldova.

Transnistria, the unrecognized pro-Russian breakaway region, has also announced a state of emergency for fear it might not get enough gas supplies. It broke away from Moldova after a brief war in 1992 and is heavily dependent on Moscow's support.

Moldova's vulnerability was recently highlighted when Russian strikes on Ukraine cut off the interconnected power supplies to the Kuciurgan plant late in 2022. According to Prime Minister Recean, Russia deliberately provokes energy crises to create "panic and chaos."

Efforts to develop alternative sources of energy have escalated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Once entirely dependent on Moscow for natural gas, Moldova has increasingly turned toward alternative suppliers. Romania's minister of energy, Sebastian Burduja, said Thursday that "it is a duty in the face of eastern aggressions" and that Romania would be prepared to support Moldova if necessary.

The energy crisis comes as Moldova's situation is charged with new tension: President Maia Sandu, pro-Western, recently won a second term and the country has held a referendum, reconfirming its intent to join the European Union. Allegations of interference by Russia are overshadowing the development of Moldova having a westward direction-the claims of Russian interference Moscow has denied.

Winter is just ahead and, thus, the government vowed to keep its citizens away from a possible economic and humanitarian crisis by the lack of energy supply.

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The energy crisis comes as tensions in Moldova have been ratcheted up by the election to a second term of its pro-Western President, Maia Sandu and a referendum that reaffirmed that the country is committed to joining the European Union. These have been overshadowed by claims of Russian interference seeking to put a brake on this westward trajectory, which it denies.

As winter closes in, the government vowed to protect its citizens against the possible economic and humanitarian crises triggered by energy shortages.