Electricity imports from Romania increased in December 2024 because the Moldovan thermoelectric power plant, MGRES, is operating with only two power blocks, according to Constantin Borosan, State Secretary of the Ministry of Energy.
Borosan explained that operating MGRES with three blocks typically generates excess electricity at night, which the MMZ metallurgical plant consumes to balance the system. However, this is no longer feasible due to damage caused by Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Specifically, the 330 kV Podolsk power station in Ukraine, which supplied two high-voltage lines to the metallurgical plant, is no longer operational.
“The Russian Federation’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in late November severely affected adjacent systems in Moldova, including power stations and transmission lines. The Podolsk station, which powered two high-voltage lines to the metallurgical plant, is out of service.
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The metallurgical plant typically absorbs the excess energy produced at night when MGRES operates with three blocks. Now, with the lines damaged, this is no longer possible. As a result, MGRES operates with two power blocks at full capacity, covering roughly one-third of our consumption needs. Moldova purchases the remaining electricity in larger quantities from Romania via the OPCOM exchange,” Borosan said during a TV appearance.
He noted that electricity prices on the exchange are highest during peak hours—mornings from 07:00 to 11:00 and evenings from 18:00 to 22:00. In light of this, he urged citizens to use electricity responsibly and adopt energy-saving measures.