Moldova’s power system emergency shutdown after Ukrainian grid failure leaves capital and other settlements without electricity.
Moldova Without Power
Moldova’s electricity operator is working to restore power, but many settlements remain without electricity. This is the case, among others, in most of the country’s capital – Chisinau. According to local media reports, trolleybuses are stuck on the roads. Traffic lights at intersections are not working.
Mayor Ion Ceban has asked police to urgently take over traffic control on the city’s most congested arteries.
Hospitals Running on Generators
Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu has asked Moldovans to remain calm. The power outage is caused by a failure in Ukraine’s power grid, which is beyond the reach of Moldovan services.
They are working to ensure power is available in places most critical for citizen safety. Autonomous generators are supplying power to hospitals, emergency services, fire departments, and police. However, there is no information on when normal power grid operations will be restored.
Ukraine Also Affected
There is also no power in some parts of Ukraine. In Kyiv and Kharkiv, the metro is not working, and the power grid failure has also led to a temporary suspension of water supplies in the Ukrainian capital. Escalators are also not working.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote that underground metro stations, using backup power, can currently function as shelters. Prime Minister Julia Swyrydenko and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal have reported a crisis situation in the Ukrainian power system, caused by technical problems on the lines connecting their network to Moldova.
