The Republic of Moldova is strengthening its energy interconnections with Romania and preparing further reforms to integrate into the European energy market. With more than 1.1 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, compared with electricity demand of approximately 700-800 MW, the country needs investment in energy storage and flexibility, as well as functioning commercial mechanisms. The liberalisation of the electricity market for non-household consumers, scheduled for 1 June 2027, is one of the main upcoming reforms, Dorin Junghietu, Moldova’s Minister of Energy, explained in a conversation with Daniel Apostol, a representative of the Energy Employers’ Federation (FPE).

The shift in Moldova’s energy supply model accelerated after 1 January 2025, when the Russian Federation halted gas deliveries and the Republic of Moldova stopped purchasing electricity from the Cuciurgan power plant, located on the left bank of the Dniester River. According to the minister, the plant previously supplied the vast majority of the country’s electricity needs, while the gap between domestic generation and consumption is now covered through Romania and the European market. Interconnections have therefore become a central component of energy security. Junghietu announced that work would continue on two additional electricity interconnections, in the Suceava and Ungheni areas, designed both to strengthen security of supply and to enable electricity flows in both directions.

The rapid expansion of renewable generation, however, brings new challenges. The Republic of Moldova already has more than 1.1 GW of installed wind and solar capacity, including self-consumption installations, in an electricity system approximately ten times smaller than Romania’s. Solar generation does not coincide with peak demand, which is concentrated mainly in the evening hours. Junghietu considers investment in battery storage and flexible generation capacity based on internal combustion engines necessary to help balance the system. Pressure on electricity demand is also being amplified by developments in natural gas prices. The minister noted that, in recent weeks, some consumers have been switching to electric heating instead of using natural gas.

Alongside infrastructure investment, the authorities in Chișinău are working to develop more mature energy markets. According to Junghietu, liquidity in the electricity trading segments he referred to increased from approximately 4-5% at the beginning of 2026 to 40-50% during the summer. The minister also highlighted the recent launch of the bilateral contracts market, which he described as a necessary step towards expanding trading activity and improving predictability. From an investor’s perspective, a liquid market and stable commercial mechanisms may become just as important as the availability of renewable resources or access to the grid.

Another announced reform involves moving non-household consumers from the regulated electricity market to the competitive market, starting on 1 June 2027. Junghietu presented the measure as part of the country’s European integration timetable and efforts to develop competition. He also highlighted the interest of Romanian investors in the Republic of Moldova, noting that discussions about new projects sometimes take place at the Ministry of Energy two or three times a week. The government’s pro-European orientation, openness to private capital and renewable energy potential are the main arguments cited by the minister for attracting investment.

For the Republic of Moldova, the next stage of the energy transition is no longer simply about replacing historical sources of supply and installing new renewable capacity. The challenge is to integrate variable generation into a flexible system supported by cross-border infrastructure and functioning markets. For Romanian companies, the transformation could create opportunities in the development of energy storage projects, electricity supply, trading and energy services, in a market that is accelerating its alignment with European rules.