Romania will continue to export large amounts of energy to the Republic of Moldova, following the disruption of networks in Ukraine

Romania continues this morning to send significant amounts of electricity to the Republic of Moldova, amid problems in the regional energy system. The situation was triggered by drone and missile attacks launched by Russia on December 5–6 against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which led to the shutdown of a major power unit in Moldova.

At 8:30 a.m., the electricity flow from Romania to Moldova exceeded 1,300 MW. Most of the exports were carried through the 400 kV Isaccea–Vulcănești overhead line, supplemented by the 110 kV interconnections Huși–Cioara, Stânca–Costești, and Țuțora–Ungheni, according to Transelectrica data cited by profit.ro.

The high export capacity is supported, as on the previous day, by Romania’s large renewable energy production. High hydroelectric outputs and favorable wind conditions ensure that these sources together provide over half of the national production, with approximately 3,900 MW injected into the system.

During the same timeframe, Moldelectrica data showed that Moldova was delivering nearly 1,000 MW of electricity to Ukraine. The energy exchange scheme among the three countries remains similar to the previous day, with Chișinău importing electricity from Romania and redirecting a large portion of it to Ukraine.

The Moldovan system operator explained that, following the attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, a major power unit was disconnected, and the interconnection lines are operating near their maximum capacity. In these conditions, Moldelectrica requested emergency assistance from Romania as a preventive measure to maintain system safety and avoid overloads. So far, the company has not provided further updates on the situation.

Emergency electricity supplies are not provided free of charge, with deliveries carried out at prices above the spot market level.

A similar situation occurred in November 2022, when many localities in Moldova, including Chișinău, were left without power following Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Currently, the energy systems of Ukraine and Moldova operate in synchronization with Western Europe, after being disconnected from Russia’s and Belarus’s grids in March 2022. This decision was made in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, although both countries had previously completed a technical test allowing reconnection to the former Soviet grid.