Moldovan energy minister says Moldova’s experience this winter shows that integration into EU energy market, European solidarity essential for regional security

The experience of Moldova this winter confirms the essential role of energy integration and European solidarity for the security of the entire region. Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu has made statements to this effect, at the meeting of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE – Energy), held in Brussels on March 16. The Moldovan official participated in the event alongside the energy ministers of the EU member states.

The meeting focused on presenting the experiences of Moldova and Ukraine in overcoming crisis situations and on coordinating common strategies to strengthen energy security in the region.

Minister Junghietu discussed the energy situation in the region, together with European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal, during a session dedicated to strengthening energy security through integration and exchange of experience with Moldova and Ukraine. The meeting was opened by the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry of Cyprus, the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The central subject of the Brussels meeting was regional energy security, the integration of energy markets and the acceleration of the transition to clean energy, in the context of geopolitical challenges and the need to reduce energy costs for citizens.

In his speech intervention, Minister Dorin Junghietu presented the experience and achievements of Moldova in managing difficult situations in the sector, stressing that the reforms and measures adopted in recent years were carried out under unprecedented conditions.

“Moldova does not produce oil and has no natural gas reserves of its own. Until recently, we depended on a single gas supplier. And yet, in the last three years, under conditions that most states in the region could not even have foreseen, we have managed to keep the national energy system functioning. Today, with great openness and courage, we can share this far from easy experience,” the minister said at the beginning of his speech.

The official explained that, in order to cope with structural vulnerabilities, Moldova had activated all available internal resources. Combined heat and power plants became strategic actors, including in the production of electricity and the coverage of energy consumption during the cold season, while regional cooperation within the Ukraine–Moldova control block allowed for efficient management of electricity imports.

At the same time, the mechanism for reallocating interconnection capacities (NTC) was implemented, allowing the efficient use of available capacities between Ukraine and EU member states.

The minister underlined that, starting from 2022, Moldova had been adopting and implementing an annual Winter Preparedness Plan, which contains concrete measures for different scenarios of electricity and natural gas supply. At present, the country maintains security stocks of approximately 50 million cubic meters of natural gas, equivalent to about ten days of consumption in the cold season, in addition to the commercial stocks of suppliers, who are obliged to store volumes equivalent to at least 15 per cent of the average annual consumption of final consumers over the last five years.

Dorin Junghietu also presented a critical episode from this winter, when damage to a power line as a result of extreme weather conditions caused a significant frequency drop in the regional power system and led to the temporary disconnection of about 70 per cent of Moldova’s consumers. Through real-time coordination with system operators of Romania and Ukraine, electricity supply was fully restored in less than five hours.

The minister also highlighted significant progress made in energy infrastructure. The 400 kV Vulcanesti–Chisinau power line has completed the construction phase and is being prepared for commissioning, while the Balti–Suceava and Straseni–Gutinas interconnection projects are advancing, strengthening energy links with Romania and the European Union.

Another topic addressed was the liberalization of the energy market. In December 2025, Moldova launched the Day-Ahead Market and the Intraday Market for electricity, operated by Romania’s OPCOM, and on the natural gas market the forward market and an OTC bilateral contracts platform were introduced. In parallel, large industrial consumers will gradually move to the free market starting from April 2026.

The minister stressed that these reforms had been carried out under extremely difficult conditions, marked by war at the border and disruptions in energy supply, but at the same time would have been impossible without the support of development partners.

“Reforms took place in parallel with a supply crisis and a war at our border. It was not easy, but we had no alternative. From these experiences, we have learned how important winter preparedness, coordination between system operators and market reforms are,” said Dorin Junghietu.

At the same time, the minister thanked European partners for the support provided to Moldova and underlined the importance of regional solidarity, including through the support offered to Ukraine.

“We must remain united and continue to support Ukraine, including in strengthening its energy resilience. Moldova’s integration into the European energy family is already under way and our experience can contribute to the European dialogue on energy security,” the minister concluded.

During the TTE meeting, energy ministers also reviewed the progress made in implementing the Affordable Energy Action Plan, launched by the European Commission one year ago, as well as the measures needed to reduce energy costs and strengthen energy security regionally.