Moldova limits electricity exports and consumption, seeks new sources of imports
CHISINAU. Aug 3 (Interfax) - Moldova has approved a new set of measures to manage the situation in the energy sector and the risks triggered by the low water level of the Dniester River, the government press service said following a session of the National Crisis Management Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan.
"To protect domestic consumption during peak hours, commercial electricity exports will be limited between 18:00 and 22:00. The measure will be implemented by the state enterprise Moldelectrica, with the exception of the quantities needed to fulfill public service obligations related to security of supply," the press service said.
System operators will give priority to examining connection requests for energy storage facilities and for solar and wind power plants equipped with batteries.
The Commission also approved a set of temporary measures to reduce electricity consumption. Administrators of public buildings and commercial spaces will reduce interior lighting by at least 30%, where possible, and will disconnect lighting in unoccupied rooms. Between 18:00 and 06:00, fountains, shop windows, and decorative, architectural and advertising lighting will be disconnected. Companies with production processes (electric furnaces, melting installations) will reorganize their activity, so that the bulk of consumption occurs outside peak consumption hours.
Water supply and sewerage service operators will adjust the operation of pumps to reduce energy consumption and administrators of residential buildings will inform residents about the recommendation to avoid using elevators during peak consumption hours.
The state-owned Energocom company will identify and contract alternative energy sources from Romania, Ukraine and other markets accessible via transit, and will present procurement scenarios for the next 7-14 days.
The state enterprise Moldelectrica will boost cooperation with transmission system operators of Romania and Ukraine, in order to maintain the balance of the power system and, if necessary, activate emergency assistance mechanisms.
The Commission has introduced restrictions on the use of drinking water and surface water for non-essential activities, such as washing streets and sidewalks or filling swimming pools and recreational basins. Water will be used with priority for the essential needs of the population.
Water abstraction and irrigation of agricultural land from the Dniester River will be allowed only at night, with priority for horticultural crops. Irrigation will be monitored by the competent authorities, and in areas where the water level reaches critical thresholds, the Environment Ministry will be able to temporarily suspend abstractions.
The Commission has also ruled reduce by at least 20% the water consumption of industrial economic operators whose activities are not essential for food production, the medical field or public health.
