Moldova Requests Emergency Electricity from Romania Following Attacks on Ukrainian Infrastructure

Massive Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure over the past weekend caused imbalances in the regional power system, forcing Moldova to request emergency electricity from Romania.

This technical intervention was crucial to maintain the stability of the national system and meet domestic consumption, though it comes at a significant cost, estimated at €300–400 per megawatt, according to Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu.

Speaking on the ÎN CONTEXT show on Moldova 1, Junghietu explained that Moldova’s power system is balanced with support from Ukrainian energy flows. “The attacks on Friday and Saturday disrupted production and distribution capacities in Ukraine, creating an energy deficit. To maintain our system’s balance and stability, we had to take emergency electricity from Romania for approximately three hours, totaling around 270 MW,” the minister said.

He emphasized that this measure was purely technical, not commercial. The cost of emergency electricity is calculated afterward and is typically higher than regular electricity prices. “We will know the exact cost at the end of the month after calculations, but it can reach €300–400 per megawatt,” Junghietu added.

He also noted that cross-border energy exchanges remain unchanged: Moldova imports electricity from Romania, but most of it is redirected to Ukraine. To prevent similar situations in the future, technical measures have been implemented, including system reconfiguration and the use of additional interconnections with Romania to strengthen network stability.

A medium-term solution is the nearly completed Vulcănești–Chișinău power line, spanning eight districts and 35 localities over 157 km. This line will connect the Vulcănești and Chișinău substations, reinforce the energy node, and reduce reliance on aging infrastructure.

The minister also urged citizens to consume electricity responsibly to avoid outages and maintain system stability. “The consumption curve has shifted significantly, exceeding 700 MW even in the morning. Adjusting thermal comfort and responsible consumption directly contribute to national grid stability,” Junghietu said.

System operator Moldelectrica confirmed that interconnection lines were close to maximum capacity. To prevent overloads, emergency electricity was requested from Romania via the 400 kV Isaccea–Vulcănești line. Romania exported over 1,300 MW, covering both Moldova’s domestic needs and exports to Ukraine, which received nearly 1,000 MW. Energy flows were mainly supported by Romania’s hydro and wind power production.

This situation highlights the importance of regional interconnections and technical cooperation between states, demonstrating how energy solidarity ensures the stable operation of power systems during crises.