On 30 October 2024, the Government of Moldova approved the Regulation and Action Plan for exceptional situations in the natural gas sector, developed by the Ministry of Energy. The document includes clear and pre-established measures to ensure gas supply, adapted to three levels of crisis: early alert situation, alert situation and emergency. It sets out the main indicators for declaring the crisis level, the reporting obligations and the actions that can be applied for each crisis level.

The regulation defines the mechanisms for cooperation between natural gas companies, the National Agency for Energy Regulation, the Ministry of Energy and the Commission for Exceptional Situations. 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 document also includes an Action Plan for the prevention of exceptional 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. All these measures will ensure that the preparedness of the responsible authorities and energy companies for possible exceptional situations in the gas sector will be strengthened, in line with EU best practices. 

It 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.

An important element of the regulation provides for the priority allocation of gas to gas-fired power plants that produce electricity based on natural gas and play a critical role in the power system.

The Energy Community Secretariat, through the Security of Supply Coordination Group, will provide assistance to Moldova in the event of a crisis and facilitate the continuity of gas flows in the region, the regulation says. In this context, the Secretariat reviewed and appraised the plan for compliance with European regulations and recommended adjustments to fully align the document with EU standards.

The Regulation was developed with the support of the "Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis in the Republic of Moldova" programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP Moldova. Earlier, also with EU-UNDP support, a plan for exceptional situations on the electricity market was developed.