Moldova continues to make reforms in the energy sector, to diversify natural gas and electricity supply sources, but it still needs the EU support to find affordable alternatives, Prime Minister Natalia Gavriliya has said in Brussels at a meeting with European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.
“With the support of the EU and other external partners, the situation in the energy field has been stabilized. We provided the population with energy resources for this winter and began preparations for the next winter. We didn’t just manage crises, we also made changes, and the Energy Community recognized that Moldova made, in the last year, the greatest progress among the candidate countries,” the official said.
Natalia Gavrilita referred to the identification of financial instruments, including grants for the advancement of several projects that have dragged on for years: the construction of the high voltage line Balti – Suceava, the increase in the amount of renewable energy produced in the country, as well as carrying out a large energy efficiency program in public buildings and residential blocks. Given that the Republic of Moldova still has a high energy intensity, and the residential sector consumes about half of the country’s energy resources, it is very important to launch the Energy Efficiency Fund in the residential sector.
“It is good that you have reduced your energy consumption this winter and it is important to prepare for the next cold season by increasing energy efficiency in the residential sector. The EU is interested in supporting these efforts,” Simson said.
The official welcomed Moldova’s participation in the joint gas procurement platform, which was designed to negotiate the best prices for small countries. Currently, gas prices are lower than before the war, but there are unpredictable factors in the international market, so the platform will be able to provide an alternative.
Gavrilita thanked the European officials for the support for the interconnection of the national electricity system to the ENTSO-E, as well as for the opportunity to participate in the Energy Platform. Also, Gavrilita expressed gratitude to the community block for the budgetary support provided last year and for the last aid of 250 million euros – recently announced financial assistance for the energy sector – money that would go to replenish the Energy Vulnerability Fund, through which gas and electricity compensations were offered. (Moldpres/Business World Magazine)