PHOTO // Energy Minister presents investors with objectives of Energy Strategy 2050: Energy directly influences companies’ competitiveness

The Republic of Moldova aims to reduce the share of imported energy from over 77% to 40% and ensure that at least 85% of locally generated electricity comes from renewable sources. These objectives are set out in the Energy Strategy 2050, presented by Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu during the Moldova Business Week event.

The event, organized by Invest Moldova Agency in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Moldova, brought together representatives of the business community and investors for discussions on the role of energy in economic development, investment opportunities and the transformation of the energy system.

In his address, the Energy Minister emphasized that access to energy and predictable costs directly influence investors’ decisions, companies’ competitiveness and economic development.


“For any entrepreneur, energy means several very concrete questions: can I develop my business, plan my costs and be confident that production will continue tomorrow? Investments, jobs and the competitiveness of our economy depend on the answers to these questions,” said Dorin Junghietu.


According to the Energy Strategy 2050, another objective is to increase the share of electricity in final energy consumption from 12% to 65%. This change is to be supported by the electrification of transport, heating and economic processes.

At the same time, the document provides for reducing the energy intensity of the economy from 0.298 to 0.061 tons of oil equivalent for every 1,000 euros produced. “This means creating more economic value while using considerably less energy,” the minister explained.

An important topic of the discussions concerned investments in renewable energy and the infrastructure needed to integrate it into the energy system. The Republic of Moldova has already surpassed one gigawatt of installed renewable energy capacity, while the next stage focuses on developing storage capacity.


“Now is the time for storage. We must be able to retain some of the energy produced during sunny hours and deliver it in the evening, when consumption is high. We need capacity that reduces imbalances, provides flexibility and enables the integration of an increasingly large volume of renewable generation,” Dorin Junghietu said.


In this context, the minister presented the measures authorities are pursuing to stimulate investment, including tax incentives, VAT reimbursement for eligible batteries and financing guarantee instruments designed to facilitate access to loans.

Dorin Junghietu also spoke about the link between the development of the energy sector and the transformation of the economy. At present, approximately half of the Republic of Moldova’s energy consumption comes from the residential sector. However, the Ministry of Energy is pursuing the development of a stronger industrial profile, with more companies engaged in production, processing and exports.


“Such an economy will have a different demand for energy: in terms of volume, distribution throughout the day and geographical location. We must anticipate where new industrial centers will emerge, what capacity they will require and how we will ensure their access to energy,” the minister said.


Developments in the electricity market were also presented during the event. The Electricity Market Operator (OPEM) currently manages the Day-Ahead Market and the intraday market, while traded volumes are increasing. According to the minister, on Energy Day itself, the markets administered by OPEM recorded traded quantities exceeding 60% of daily consumption, including during peak hours.

Another topic addressed was the liberalization of energy markets. In 2026, large natural gas consumers moved to the open market, while the opening of the electricity market to large consumers is scheduled for April 1, 2027. These changes will allow companies to negotiate contracts tailored to their own consumption profiles and participate more actively in the market.

The minister also drew attention to the need to improve administrative procedures and transparency in the process of connecting to the grids.


“An investor’s confidence also depends on the time required to obtain an approval, the transparency of access to the grid and the consistency of the rules. This is where we must focus our efforts and improve what is still not working well enough,” Dorin Junghietu emphasized.


At the end of his address, the minister invited companies and investors to present the projects they intend to develop, their energy needs and the obstacles that must be removed to make them possible.


“I want this meeting to help us turn the objectives of the 2050 Strategy into investments that ensure consumer security and support economic growth,” the Energy Minister concluded.


The Energy Strategy for the 2026–2050 period was approved by the Government on September 30, 2026.