The U.S. allocates additional $300 million in emergency aid to Moldova to support the energy sector.
This was stated during a meeting held by Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov and USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia Mark Simakovsky. The parties discussed urgent investments for creation of safe, sustainable and competitive energy sector. The discussions were held in the context of the strategic dialogue between Moldova and the United States. Victor Parlicov spoke about the three priority sectors that can have the biggest impact in terms of reducing the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. These are buildings, transport and better integration of renewable energy sources into the electricity grid. "Among our priorities is energy efficiency in buildings, both in the public and residential sectors, which has very high savings potential. Electrification of transportation will reduce fuel use, and charging it at night, will balance the daytime consumption schedule, which will allow more renewable energy," the energy minister said. He noted that these three sectors require urgent action. U.S. aid includes $80 million in direct budget support to offset the cost of record electricity prices this winter. To improve long-term energy security, the aid includes $135 million to develop priority power generation projects in Moldova so that the country's power supply can be diversified; and $85 million to improve Moldova's ability to get energy from alternative sources, as well as to increase the sustainability of the energy system. Earlier, the U.S. provided about $267 million in emergency aid to help Moldova cope with the economic, energy, and humanitarian consequences of the war in Ukraine, while maintaining progress in its economic and democratic reform program. // 15.03.2023 – InfoMarket
