Energy Strategy 2050 presented in Chisinau

The Ministry of Energy presented the Energy Strategy of the Republic of Moldova 2050 today in Chisinau.

The document includes several objectives to be achieved in the coming years to strengthen the country's energy independence. These include increasing the share of renewable energy, creating new energy interconnections with Romania, investing in modernizing energy infrastructure, enhancing energy efficiency in public buildings and individual homes, reducing energy bills for citizens, and protecting the most vulnerable consumers through targeted compensation.

Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu mentioned that in recent years, the Republic of Moldova has implemented fundamental reforms to consolidate its energy independence, overcome gas blackmail, and take decisive steps to ensure that Moldovan families are not left in the cold and dark.


"The Ministry of Energy presents the Strategy that will ensure the full energy independence of our country, more affordable bills, and a modern and green economy by 2050. We have embarked on this path because the Government cares about the country's future. In the last four years, we have taken decisive steps to ensure that Moldovan families are not left in the cold and dark. We have achieved energy independence and freed ourselves from gas blackmail, and since 2022, we have not consumed Russian gas. We have commissioned the Iasi-Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline, and for the first time in history, we bought gas from the European market. Gas no longer flows from east to west, but from west to east. We have increased renewable capacities tenfold. In April, 36% of electricity consumption was covered from local green sources, and for some hours, we even had full coverage," stated Minister Dorin Junghietu.


The official noted that the authorities provided approximately 10 billion lei in compensation each month to protect families from higher bills. Additionally, over 35,000 families benefited from vouchers of up to 6,000 lei to purchase energy-efficient appliances. To strengthen energy independence, the Vulcanesti-Chisinau overhead power line is to be completed by the end of the year.

At the same time, the Energy Efficiency Fund was launched, aiming to renovate residential blocks and individual houses. The largest hospitals in the country are undergoing renovation, and all student dormitories will be modernized for energy efficiency.


"When Russia cut off gas to the left bank of the Dniester, we avoided a humanitarian crisis and a conflict between both banks," emphasized Dorin Junghietu.


The minister stated that through the Energy Strategy 2050, the authorities aim to provide more benefits for all consumers in the Republic of Moldova, including lower energy bills, more energy from renewable sources, energy-efficient buildings, and new interconnections with Romania.


"By 2050, we aim to provide more benefits for all our people. Lower bills and energy efficiency mean grants of up to 70% for renovations, energy efficiency, and consumption reduction. Electricity produced at home and more stable electricity prices. We aim for over 80% of electricity to be produced locally from renewable sources by 2050. No more energy blackmail and new connections with Romania and the European Union, with a 2,000 MW exchange capacity and reserves of gas and electricity," said the minister.


According to the official, a priority will be modernizing the thermal energy system of Chisinau and Balti cities, so citizens benefit from lower bills and increased thermal comfort in their homes. The authorities also aim to support the most vulnerable citizens with compensations, develop infrastructure for electric cars, launch electrified trains, and install 100,000 smart meters in households by 2027.


"The Energy Strategy 2050 is not just about energy; it's about the future, a future of safety and prosperity, with more opportunities for our citizens, about jobs, money invested at home, in our economy, about Moldova living without external blackmail. Our path is clear: full energy independence, predictable tariffs, and a secure and European Moldova," concluded Dorin Junghietu.


Director of the Energy Community Secretariat Artur Lorkowski stated that the launch of the Energy Strategy 2050 will secure the energy future of the Republic of Moldova. 


"Through this Strategy, the Republic of Moldova is paving its path towards the European energy community. Furthermore, the Strategy will accelerate Moldova's path towards EU membership. You've made a brave choice necessary to tackle geopolitical and energy crises. You've taken enormous steps towards a competitive energy market, modernized infrastructure, increased energy efficiency, and consistently protected vulnerable people. The Strategy's objectives will help you take confident steps towards the EU. The Strategy will achieve its objectives through three major priorities obtained through ambitious actions. The Strategy prioritizes security and resilience, recognizing that energy is a matter of national security. It reduces critical dependencies, protecting the country from external shocks. The document makes the country more capable of withstanding harsh winters, reducing dependency on energy imports by up to 40% by 2050," said the official.


Artur Lorkowski assured that the Republic of Moldova is not alone on its path to modernizing the energy sector, and the Energy Community Secretariat will support our country with technical assistance and the necessary expertise.


"I urge all political forces, the business community, local authorities, and civil society. See the Strategy as a joint project. The Strategy will succeed and be measured not only in MW but also in the citizens' trust that life can be stable and predictable. The Strategy's impact will be measured by investors' respect for the rules of the game and by Moldova's voice at the European table. Moldova has its place in Europe, and energy is the key that opens this door," concluded the official.


The Energy Strategy of the Republic of Moldova until 2050 aims to ensure the transition towards a secure, sustainable, efficient, and competitive energy system. The project introduces several essential new elements that distinguish this vision from previous strategies. According to the document, the share of electricity produced from carbon-free sources is set to reach 85% of total local production by 2050, and about 90% of the national electricity demand will be met from internal renewable sources – solar, wind, biomass, and high-efficiency cogeneration.

All these directions of action are accompanied by concrete solutions, based on long-term modeled energy scenarios, results from consultations with experts and relevant actors, as well as lessons learned from the European integration journey of other states.

Achieving the proposed objectives would result in savings of over 4 billion euros from reduced natural gas consumption, a 30% decrease in operating and maintenance costs, and estimated annual savings of 355 million euros in 2030 and over 1 billion euros in 2050.