ANRE has completed the certification process in the electricity sector and certified Moldelectrica SE according to the independent operator model.
The energy regulator announced that on July 11, the Management Board of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) adopted a decision on the certification of the electricity transmission system operator (TSO) Moldelectrica according to the "Independent System Operator" model. ANRE notes that the obligation to unbundle the transmission system operator is a requirement stipulated both by the EU Energy Package III and by Directive 2009/72/EC of the European Parliament and the European Council of July 13, 2009 on common rules for the internal electricity market, as well as by the obligation assumed by Moldova upon accession to the Energy Community Treaty. The "Independent System Operator" unbundling model assumes that an electricity company, which is not the owner of the transmission network, can engage in the transportation of electricity through the network transferred to the electricity company’s management by the owner. At the same time, this model provides a set of rules to ensure that the operator is independent of any interests related to the supply and production of electricity and natural gas. In addition, this model allows vertically integrated companies or transmission owners to retain ownership of assets while ensuring effective separation of interests, provided that an independent system operator performs all specific activities with detailed rules and extensive regulatory oversight mechanisms. After complying with the rules stipulated by European regulations and the Law on Electricity, in the process of passing the stages of the certification procedure, Moldelectrica SE confirmed its independence in relation to electricity companies engaged in the supply or production of electricity and natural gas, as well as the financial, technical, physical and human capacities necessary to perform the mandatory functions and the powers established by law for the independent system operator. At the same time, the owner of the transmission network, which according to the legislation is the state represented by the Ministry of Energy, has assumed obligations in accordance with the applicable regulations. Among them are guarantees of cooperation and necessary support to fulfill the duties of the independent system operator, provision of relevant information, provision of guarantees to facilitate financing in case of expansion of the transmission network, assumption of responsibility for non-involvement in the operating activities of the company, etc. During the certification procedure, ANRE consulted the opinion of the Energy Community Secretariat and took into account all the recommendations received. At the same time, ANRE will continue monitoring the implementation of some of the recommendations of the Energy Community Secretariat, which are to be implemented within the next 9 months, in order to limit any participation of representatives of central public authorities in the operational activity of the transmission system operator. Moldelectrica SE is engaged in the transportation of electricity through high-voltage power grids and centralized operational management of the electricity system at the level of the Central Dispatch Service. // 11.07.2023 - InfoMarket.
