Energy Minister: Moldova ready for any scenario on natural gas market

Chisinau, Oct 30 /MOLDPRES/- Government today approved the Regulation and Action Plan for emergency situations in the natural gas sector. The document sets out clear measures to ensure gas supply, adapted to three crisis levels: early alert situation, alert situation and emergency situation.

The document sets out the main indicators for declaring the crisis level, reporting obligations and actions that can be applied for each crisis level.

"We have gone through several crisis periods. The regulation and the action plan approved today come to regulate how to establish different crisis levels, what are the responsibilities of the institutions, how to analyze the risks, including at the regional level, how to take preventive measures, how to develop different scenarios, action plans, what are the responsibilities of ANRE, the companies in the sector, the Commission for Emergency Situations, the Government and the Ministry. So all these things are covered by these regulations, and the action plan becomes a basic operational document for the work of the Commission for Emergency Situations in case the risks materialize. I recall that for the time being we are on early alert, but it is also a monitoring mechanism. I want to assure all citizens that this mechanism is working and we are prepared for any scenario," Energy Minister Victor Parlicov said at the Cabinet meeting.

"Basically, all state and energy system institutions have their contingency plans. Here we are making an order and unification of response procedures when necessary," Prime Minister Dorin Recean said.

The regulation defines the mechanisms of cooperation between natural gas sector companies - the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE), the Energy Ministry and the Commission for Emergency Situations (CSE). Depending on the type and severity of the crisis, the institutions involved will activate specific measures aimed at ensuring the continuity of gas supply in our country.

The draft also includes an Action Plan for preventing emergency situations in the gas sector reflecting the results of the national risk assessment, as well as the simulation of risk scenarios identified by testing the Emergency Plan at least once between its regular updates. 

The document also includes essential security standards for infrastructure and supply. To maintain stability in the event of an emergency, gas supplies will be prioritized to protected consumers, including households, hospitals, kindergartens and other public institutions providing essential social services.

The Energy Community Secretariat will provide assistance to the Republic of Moldova in the event of a crisis and facilitate the continuity of gas flows in the region, the regulation says.