President Maia Sandu, following a meeting of the Supreme Security Council, said that the country must be prepared for any scenario and announced that a decision had been made to declare a state of emergency in the energy and water sectors, TRIBUNA reports.

According to her, mobilizing all institutions is essential — the economy and citizens must have an uninterrupted supply of energy resources.

The head of state highlighted regional risk factors and vulnerabilities:

• The Republic of Moldova is entirely dependent on resources purchased on international markets, as it has no domestic oil or gas deposits.
• The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, low levels of gas stored in underground storage facilities in Europe, and increased gas consumption for electricity generation during the hot summer are keeping prices high.
• The benchmark price for natural gas on the European market has risen two and a half times compared with last year. Petrol and diesel prices have reached their highest levels ever recorded in the EU.
• The situation regarding low water levels in the Dniester remains alarming — the flow rate is 23 m³/s, compared with the 100–120 m³/s typical for this period.

At the same time, Maia Sandu announced the Council’s decisions:

1. The need to declare a state of emergency in the energy and water sectors so that institutions can act quickly.

2. To prepare detailed plans for various scenarios, including potential supply disruptions. It was also decided to keep the 110 kV interconnections with Romania operational, particularly for use in emergency situations; create reserves of equipment and spare parts for rapid intervention in the event of breakdowns; and gradually build up emergency stocks of petroleum products.

3. To implement a compensation mechanism that takes into account the level of vulnerability of each household and changes in tariffs.

4. To introduce measures to better protect critical facilities on which the country’s energy supply depends, including against the threat posed by drones.