Moldovan Energy Ministry approves clearer rules, new methodology for installation of wind power plants

Wind power plants will be installed based on clearer rules. They have been included in a new methodology, approved by the Ministry of Energy. The document outlines initial conditions for location, minimum distances from the edges of settlements and infrastructure objects, as well as requirements for dismantling turbines and restoring farmlands.

According to the methodology, wind power plants cannot be installed in scientific, natural, landscape or resource reserves, national parks, dendrological or zoological gardens, natural or landscape architecture monuments, wetlands, forests, rivers, or bird migration paths.

In addition, the methodology establishes minimum distances from localities, national, communal, or private utility roads, railways, electric installations, gas pipelines and other types of buildings or infrastructure. The minimum distances are regulated according to the type of object and the size of the wind turbine. Thus, the minimum distance must be 50 meters from national roads, from railways ‒ 100 m, and from buildings ‒ at least 5 heights of the turbine tower (in the case of a turbine with a height of 80 m, the distance from buildings would be 400 m).

The ministry's order also describes the way of dismantling, decommissioning, recycling and restoring the land adjacent to wind power plants. Thus, after the expiration of the plant's operational term, a dismantling plan must be developed, which includes managing components, waste and restoring environmental impact. According to the document, all components will be sorted based on the materials from which they are made, reusable, recyclable parts and waste that requires special disposal will be identified.

This autumn, the Ministry of Energy is set to launch a second auction under the “fixed price” support mechanism for installing wind power plants with a total capacity of 170 MW, with the condition of installing energy storage batteries of at least 22 MW / 44MWh.

According to statistics data, in the last five years, photovoltaic and wind generation capacities have increased eightfold, reaching 689 MW in last May.