Moldovan president, European Commissioner for Enlargement announce new support package for Moldova's energy security

President Maia Sandu and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos today agreed upon an energy security strategy for Moldova and a two-year support package on behalf of the European Union.

The Strategy has two principal goals: to reduce to zero Moldova’s dependence on the Russian energy sources and to fully integrate the country into the European energy market. The financial package for the 2025 year is of 250 million euros, of which 100 million euros, which is non-refundable, will be allocated till April 2025.

For short term, the European funds will back the households on the right bank of Dniester, which face significant increases in prices, covering the additional costs for electricity for up to 110 kWh till the end of this year. Also, funds will be earmarked for supporting the families of the people who were worst exposed to the crisis and the social institutions, such as schools, kindergartens and hospitals.

The private companies from the agro-food sector and the production one will benefit from support worth 15 million euros, in order to cover the high costs for energy. Besides, the European Union will mobilize 50 million euros through international financial institutions for investments in the energy efficiency of households, small- and medium-sized enterprises and the buildings of the local public authorities.

For long term, this strategy will back Moldova in ensuring the energy security through investments and reforms in the energy sector, removing any dependence on the Russian energy resources, which make the country and the Moldovan citizens vulnerable to the Kremlin’s blackmail.

President Maia Sandu said: „Along with our European partners, we will overcome this crisis and will continue to significantly invest in the energy sector, in order to improve its security and efficiency. Thus, we will become stronger and will no longer be able to be blackmailed.’’

The plan includes also an offer of support for the Transnistrian region, worth 60 million euros. Thus support will be conditioned by the observance of the fundamental rights in the region, progressive increase in the tariffs for economic agents and will exclude support for the activities with increased energy intensity.

The concerned support completes the EU’s investments on the period 2021-2024, when 240 million euros was allocated for the energy system.

The energy independence is an essential pillar of the national security. In the last years, Moldova has made concrete steps to reduce the energy dependence.  In the last two years, the right bank has no longer been vulnerable to the blackmail with natural gas and this year the Vulcanesti-Chisinau high-tension power line will be finished, which will connect Moldova to the power network of Romania and the European Union.  Besides, another two high-tension power lines will be built,  Balti-Suceava and Straseni-Gutinas, in order to ensure the delivery of electric energy from diverse sources, at predictable prices.

At the same time, Moldova invests in the development of the renewable energy, which has got to cover over 16 per cent of the consumption. The government launched auctions for solar and wind energy projects, which might attract up to 190 million euros in the sector. Also, public and residential buildings are energy renovated and the private sector benefits from support in the transition to the green energy.