Interview: For Moldova, dependence from Russia was dependence from blackmail

Romanian Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu, in an interview with PressOne, a partner media of EUalive, highlighted substantial risks facing Moldova due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the fragile state of the interconnected regional power grid.

In March Moldova found itself once again declaring a state of emergency in the energy sector. This came shortly after Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure damaged the critical Isaccea-Vulcănești interconnection line, which carries electricity from Romania to Moldova across Ukrainian territory.

The incident exposed the ongoing fragility of Moldova’s energy system, still burdened by Soviet-era infrastructure and the broader regional conflict. Only months earlier, in January, a partial blackout had temporarily left parts of the country without power due to a combination of climatic conditions and disruptions in Ukraine.

Energy еmergency in Moldova: Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure exposes longstanding vulnerabilities

Energy security: from blackmail to diversification

Moldova entered the season equipped with a contingency plan developed in collaboration with the National crisis management centre. This plan proved effective during the 31 January blackout, allowing authorities to implement pre-established protocols and restore electricity supply to almost the entire territory within less than six hours.

Following that event, the contingency plan was updated to include additional measures and worst-case scenarios. One such scenario materialized on 23 March, when a Russian drone attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure also struck assets belonging to Moldova located on Ukrainian territory. This directly affected the interconnection with the European electricity system via Romania. The incident represented a new energy crisis, following recent water-related challenges on the Dniester River that had already strained the system.

Junghietu emphasized that these events demonstrated the exposure inherent in an interconnected system. Even infrastructure on Ukrainian soil could become a target amid the ongoing conflict. At the same time, he highlighted the role of local investments in renewable energy production capacities, often paired with storage systems or gas-fired power plants. During the January blackout, local production helped maintain supply for some consumers. In recent periods when certain lines were unavailable, renewables contributed approximately 40-50% of the power needs.

Looking ahead, if similar scenarios repeat, Moldova is better prepared thanks to updated plans and ongoing investments, though vulnerabilities persist. The minister contrasted this with the severe 2022 energy crisis, the strongest since independence, triggered when Russia ceased gas supplies to Moldova despite an existing contract with Moldovagaz and Gazprom. A key factor in overcoming that crisis was the operationalization of the Iași-Ungheni-Chișinău gas pipeline, which became a cornerstone of energy security for the right bank of the Dniester.

On 1 January 2025, the expiration of the Russian gas transit contract through Ukraine left the Transnistrian region without natural gas for nearly three months, creating pressure across the regional energy system. However, the right bank maintained both gas and electricity supplies through diversified sources and European Union support. Although electricity prices rose by 60-70% on 1 January, 2025, a reduction in tariffs for consumers was achieved by August thanks to these diversification efforts.

Moldova has taken important steps toward energy independence, yet at critical moments, dependence on imports—including from Romania, remains high. Junghietu clarified the technical reality: the country lacks its own significant oil and gas resources. Discoveries in southern Moldova are too small to have economic impact. Thus, fuel products and gas continue to rely on imports. The strategy focuses on strengthening security through investments in local renewable energy sources.

The national energy strategy envisions that by 2050, approximately 85% of electricity could come from domestic renewables. This represents a long-term shift after three decades of reliance on a single power source. Geopolitical realities illustrate how dangerous single-source dependence can be, as seen in past vulnerabilities. Decisions in Chisinau aim to bolster security by diversifying supplies and building local generation capacities. Additional interconnections with Romania will provide backup during periods when photovoltaics do not produce or when plants undergo maintenance.

Currently, Moldova imports gas and petroleum products. The country is described as a “prisoner of geography,” an importer that must maximize its potential through interconnections with neighbors and investments in renewables. Local renewable capacity has already reached nearly 1 GW, creating daytime surpluses that underscore the need for energy storage projects.

A prisoner of geography, partner with Romania

Romania has emerged as the main supplier of gas and electricity to Moldova and a vital partner during crises. This relationship has sparked criticism suggesting a shift from Eastern to Western dependence, potentially more expensive. Junghietu responded firmly: dependence on the East was “dependence from blackmail.”

“Dependence on the East amounted to a form of blackmail. Whenever Chisinau’s policies leaned toward the West, the country faced threats and coercion. It was repeatedly subjected to blackmail or embargoes, targeting the export of food products, wines, and energy resources”, emphasised Junghietu.

In contrast, Romania consistently supported Moldova during energy crises. “Who was with the Republic of Moldova in all those moments?” the minister asked rhetorically. Romania stepped in every time, reflecting deep ties: the same people, the same language, separated only by a river. It is unfair, he argued, to equate the two dependencies. The previous one contributed to a partial exodus of citizens and dictated the country’s economic directions, holding it captive.

Moldova is not the European country with the highest energy prices. Many EU and continental European nations pay significantly more for gas and electricity than Moldovan consumers. Scenarios where Romania could not supply enough are of very low probability. Moldova’s consumption is much smaller than Romania’s, and the 300-400 MW typically imported represent a minor share for its neighbor. Romania continues investing in its own generation projects. Challenges stem more from current interconnection capacity, prompting joint work to expand it.

After each crisis, authorities claim lessons have been learned. Junghietu identified concrete structural changes. First, the tender for the Bălți-Suceava interconnection project is nearing completion and expected to launch in the first half of 2026. Second, diversification of supply contracts has broadened the portfolio; Moldova no longer relies solely on Romania but imported electricity from Ukraine during spring and summer periods. Third, promotion of energy storage projects addresses surpluses from renewables.

For citizens, energy security ultimately appears in monthly bills. Many do not immediately perceive benefits from diversification amid high costs. Junghietu acknowledged inheriting an aging infrastructure, with lines like the over-50-year-old Vulcănești-MGRES conductor failing in the January incident. Operators replace networks annually, and the state builds new lines, but all require investment—partly through European grants and partly through repayable loans.

The Ministry of Economy has assessed the GDP impact of electricity disconnections, revealing significant economic losses. Tariff reductions in summer 2025 became possible thanks to cheaper renewable energy from new investments. As an importer of gas, diesel, and gasoline, Moldova must pursue system electrification and continued renewable development.

The Transnistrian region historically played a central role via the Cuciurgan (MGRES) power plant. The electricity system remains interconnected with it due to Soviet-era configuration, but the infrastructure there is outdated and prone to breakdowns. In the past year and January, generation facilities on the left bank experienced multiple failures, creating unpredictability. The relationship between Chisinau and Tiraspol remains moderate. Chisinau implements a convergence plan, recognizing that gas supply issues could trigger economic catastrophe in Transnistria. Completion of the Vulcănești-Chișinău line will reduce this vulnerability by directly interconnecting the Chisinau node with the continental European network, bypassing MGRES.

Integration into the European energy market stands as a major objective. For the energy system, it means enhanced safety, security, and competitiveness. Final consumers should benefit from a free market where economic agents access better prices. Investors in renewable capacities will gain opportunities to export surplus green energy. Economically, this promises advantages for Moldova.

In the next five years, investments in renewables will continue alongside key interconnection projects with Romania, including Bălți-Suceava and Strășeni-Gutinaș. Reforms and harmonization of energy legislation with European standards have earned positive recognition in the European Commission’s 2025 enlargement report. On 1 April Moldova finalizes liberalization of the gas market for large and medium consumers, granting access to more competitive prices. Over the horizon, full liberalization for households, similar to Romania’s July 2025 electricity market opening, will allow supplier choice and better prices.

The article in PressOne in Romanian can be found here.

Caption: Dorin Junghietu, at the Romanian Energy Symposium (SIREN) 2025, alongside Dragoș Pîslaru, Moldovan Minister of Investments and European Projects. The Moldovan official stressed Romania’s essential role in supporting Moldova in everything that entails the process of consolidating national energy security and European integration. Photo: (Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Moldova)