The ban on the export of electricity has been lifted in Moldova.
In particular, the National Agency for Energy Regulation, at a meeting on Friday, canceled its decision of October 13, 2022 to ban the export of electricity. The rapporteur on this issue at NAER, Stefan Saracuta, recalled that the export of electricity from Moldova was prohibited in conditions when the government established a high alert regime on the electricity market. The NAER decision stipulated that local producers of electricity from renewable sources, which do not benefit from the support scheme under the Law on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources, had the opportunity to apply to universal service providers and suppliers of last resort to conclude contracts for the sale of electricity produced by them. It was also found that some suppliers that supply energy to end consumers at negotiated prices and have concluded contracts with electricity producers from renewable sources cannot supply electricity purchased from producers at certain periods of time, since electricity consumption by end consumers is not constant. At the same time, on December 3, Energocom entered into an electricity purchase and sale agreement with Moldavskaya GRES, on the basis of which the volume of electricity needed to cover the electricity needs of universal and guaranteeing service providers and system operators was supplied. In addition, Energocom purchased electricity from a number of producers in Romania under bilateral agreements and on the OPCOM market at certain times of the day. On January 25, 2023, it was announced that in February Energocom will purchase electricity from Moldavskaya GRES, from a number of producers in Romania under bilateral agreements. Also, during some hours - during periods of peak consumption - Energocom will purchase electricity on the Romanian electricity market operator, as in January 2023. Herewith, on January 26, NAER received requests from ML Energy - Group and Trade Energo Plus to cancel the NAER resolution dated October 13, 2022 on the ban on the export of electricity, given that Energocom provided the necessary volumes of electricity. Thus, Energy - Group and Trade Energo Plus, taking into account the Energy Law, which stipulates the promotion and facilitation of participants' access to electricity markets, including by removing barriers, consider that maintaining the export ban is discriminatory and unfavorable for licensed suppliers and electricity producers operating in the electricity market at unregulated tariffs. NAER asked the main market participants and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development for an opinion on maintaining the ban on electricity exports. Moldelectrica said that if a situation arises where electricity consumption is not covered by local sources, the system will be vulnerable to possible major disruptions in the power grids of neighboring countries. Energocom said it considers it premature to resume exports, provided the electricity market stays on high alert. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development considers it relevant that NAER consider the possibility of lifting the ban on the export of electricity, at the same time saying that it considers it reasonable/necessary to maintain a high alert regime in the electricity market. Taking into account the above, NAER considered it appropriate to cancel its decision of October 13, 2022 to ban the export of electricity. The rapporteur on this issue, Stefan Saracuta, explained that now, when there are no previous prerequisites and threats of electricity shortages, and Energocom has the ability to provide the country with electricity, NAER decided to lift the ban on electricity exports in order to allow exporters who have its surplus, especially since the relevant ministry supported the lifting of the electricity export ban.// 03.02.2023 — InfoMarket
