Moldova has introduced restrictions on electricity and water consumption as the country faces a regional energy crisis and critically low water levels in the Dniester River, its main source of drinking water, Deschide.md announced. The measures include limiting electricity exports during peak hours, reducing lighting in public and commercial buildings, restricting non-essential water use and allowing agricultural irrigation from the Dniester only at night.

The National Crisis Management Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, approved the measures on August 3. Commercial electricity exports will be limited between 18:00 and 20:00, when domestic demand is highest, with exceptions for quantities required to meet security-of-supply obligations.

The authorities also instructed state energy trader Energocom to identify alternative electricity supplies from Romania, Ukraine and other markets accessible through existing transit routes. Energocom will prepare procurement scenarios covering the next 7-14 days, together with daily reports on electricity prices and financing requirements.

The measures come as Romania, Moldova’s main electricity supplier, faces its own energy constraints following a sharp decline in Danube water levels and electricity production. Romania has declared a state of alert in its energy system and has discussed potential emergency electricity imports from Ukraine for peak hours. Energocom warned that Moldova could need to purchase additional electricity on regional markets, where prices are typically higher.

The Moldovan authorities will prioritise connection requests for electricity storage facilities and photovoltaic and wind power plants equipped with batteries, while procedures for authorising such projects will be simplified.

Public buildings and commercial premises will be required to reduce indoor lighting by at least 30%, where possible, and switch off lighting in unoccupied rooms. Fountains and decorative, architectural and advertising lighting will be turned off between 18:00 and 06:00. Energy-intensive businesses will be asked to reorganise production to avoid peak-demand periods.

The authorities have also prohibited the use of drinking water and surface water for non-essential activities such as washing streets and pavements and filling swimming pools and recreational ponds. Industrial companies whose activities are not essential to food production, healthcare or public health must reduce water consumption by at least 20%.

Water use from the Dniester for agricultural irrigation will be permitted only between 21:00 and 06:00, with priority given to horticultural crops. The Environment Ministry may temporarily suspend water use in areas where levels reach critical thresholds.

The measures followed a July 31 discussion between Tofan and Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi on the Dniester situation. “Given the lack of precipitation and the critically low water level of the Dniester Reservoir, we must manage water flow with the utmost responsibility and prevent an already difficult situation from worsening,” Tofan said.

Local authorities will put reserve wells into operation where necessary, while Apa-Canal Chisinau will carry out works to maintain water supplies to the capital. If conditions deteriorate, Moldova’s General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations will prepare to distribute drinking water by mobile tankers in affected localities.