The European Commission will help Moldova purchase natural gas for next winter through the Single EU Platform.
This was discussed during the 4th EU-Moldova high-level energy meeting held in Brussels. According to the Ministry of Energy, it also noted that Moldova will continue to implement European legislation, invest in energy infrastructure for interconnection in order to better integrate into the EU market, develop and use the potential of "green" energy, as well as make progress in the field of energy efficiency, decarbonization, and security of supply was cited as a top priority. According to the Ministry of Energy, with the assistance of the European community, the Moldovan government will replenish the Energy Vulnerability Fund to help the most vulnerable consumers pay for services in the 2023-2024 heating season. An action plan to prepare for next winter was also discussed in Brussels. Work on this plan has recently begun. In particular, attention was paid to the development of local capacities for the production of electrical and thermal energy. In this context, the leadership of the Ministry of Energy mentioned investment projects for the construction of 2 new thermal power plants, which will be implemented in Chisinau with the support of international partners. In addition, an exchange of information took place on the implementation of infrastructure projects for the interconnection of the electric power systems of Moldova and Romania through high-voltage power lines Vulcanesti-Chisinau and Balti-Suceava. As noted, the recent signing in Chisinau of the European Cooperation Mechanism, proposed by the European Commission for financing energy, digital and transport infrastructure, will allow Moldova to propose financing projects in this key area. Moldova also undertakes to advance in the process of transposing the Clean Energy for All Europeans Package into national legislation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this regard, the Moldovan side noted that one of the current priorities is the reform of the Energy Efficiency Agency, strengthening this institution by increasing the number of employees and the proposed financing instruments, as well as at the management level. In particular, the agency will launch and expand the appliance change voucher program, as well as the Green Home program to promote the use of renewable energy sources. The Energy Efficiency Agency will also manage the Energy Efficiency Fund for the modernization of the Moldovan housing stock, which was discussed in detail. “In order to cut our energy bills, we need to consume smarter and avoid wasting resources where we don't need to. The cheapest energy is the energy that we did not consume. In Brussels, I was assured that the European Union will help us in this direction,” Energy Minister Victor Parlicov said after the meeting. Along with strengthening the Energy Efficiency Agency, the Department of Energy team is now also working to raise as much funding as possible for energy efficiency projects, both in the residential sector and public buildings, he said. Also discussed in Brussels were the development of integrated climate and energy plans, as well as amendments to the Law on the Promotion of Renewable Energy Sources, which will lead to an increase in the degree of energy independence and an increase in the capacity of renewable energy sources in the energy sector. // 24.05.2023 — InfoMarket.
