PHOTO // Opportunities to strengthen energy security and attract American investments discussed by Energy Minister in Washington

Opportunities to strengthen the energy security of the Republic of Moldova and attract American investments in the sector were analyzed during a visit to Washington by Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu.

The official held a series of high-level meetings with U.S. officials and representatives of institutional and business circles from the energy sector.

During the meeting with the United States Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, Minister Dorin Junghietu presented the current situation in the electricity sector of the Republic of Moldova and how the country managed to overcome the energy crises of recent years with the support of American partners.

"I also highlighted the import of about 40 million cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S., delivered by the very first oil tanker moored at the Alexandroupolis FSRU terminal in Greece after it was commissioned. The discussions also focused on opportunities for American investments to strengthen the energy security of the Republic of Moldova," the minister stated.

Dorin Junghietu also held a meeting with representatives of the U.S. Department of State responsible for relations with Eurasia and the Republic of Moldova, including Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher Smith. The talks examined developments over the summer period and the current situation in the cold season, as well as the status of electricity interconnections with neighboring countries.

A separate topic of discussion was the construction of the high-voltage Strășeni–Gutinaș power line. Dorin Junghietu thanked the American side for reconsidering the investment partnership regarding the construction of this interconnection and presented the current stage of the project. The consulting company involved in the process is currently working on the pre-feasibility study and subsequently on the feasibility study, in coordination with the Romanian side, being responsible for coordination on both banks of the Prut River.

Another meeting took place at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), where investment opportunities in the energy sector of the Republic of Moldova were discussed. Minister Junghietu highlighted the country’s three strategic priorities in the field: the modernization of critical energy infrastructure, including cybersecurity, sector digitalization and grid modernization; investments in new electricity generation capacities, including a project for a power plant with a capacity of approximately 250 MW; as well as increasing energy efficiency. It was mentioned that, within the DFC, relatively mature projects can be submitted for financing, those that have feasibility studies or target the purchase of operational assets.

The Moldovan official also met with representatives of the Nuclear Energy Institute, with discussions focusing on the prospects of nuclear energy in the region and the opportunity to develop small modular reactor (SMR) projects. The institute’s representatives expressed their willingness to provide expertise for developing the Republic of Moldova’s technical capacities in this field.

The visit agenda also included a meeting with Sara Thannhauser, Associate Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) within the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The discussions addressed the situation of the Lukoil company and the steps taken by the Republic of Moldova to strengthen the security of aviation fuel supply, in the context of U.S. sanctions applied to this company.

During the meeting with representatives of the U.S. Gas and Oil Association, the general situation in the energy sector of the Republic of Moldova and potential investment opportunities were discussed, in particular in electricity generation capacities, as well as the possibility of concluding long-term contracts for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States.

 Junghietu also met with representatives of the American company Caterpillar, one of the largest producers of equipment for electricity generation. The minister presented the objectives of the Republic of Moldova regarding the development of generation capacities, including in the context of the first auction for balancing services recently organized by Moldelectrica, emphasizing the strategic importance of electricity storage systems and flexible generation capacities.

Additionally, Dorin Junghietu participated in a roundtable organized by the Atlantic Council, where he presented the current situation in the Republic of Moldova and the impact of the attacks in November and December on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure. The minister explained how the authorities managed these challenges and how the national power system is currently administered. The discussions also addressed the opportunity to extend and develop the Vertical Gas Corridor.