Country Overview
The European country of the Republic of Moldova is bordered by Romania and Ukraine. The population of Moldova is approximately 3.43 million people.
The Republic of Moldova declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 27, 1991. Moldova became a member of the United Nations on March 2, 1992.
In 2021, Moldova’s economy was ranked 130th in the world in gross domestic product (GDP). The country’s economy is dependent on the export of insulated wire, wheat, sun flower seeds, hot-rolled iron bars, and wine.
Environmental Policies
In 2013, Moldova enacted its National Energy Strategy 2030, which included using 10% renewable energy in electricity generation and 10% biofuels in transport by 2030.
Power Generation Capabilities
In 2021, 100% of the people in Moldova had access to electricity. In 2022, power companies used coal (66.9%), natural gas (26.2%), and renewable energy (6.9 %) to generate electricity in Moldova. Hydropower and wind are the dominant types of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Moldova.
Recent renewable energy projects in Moldova include:
- 230 MW Renewable Energy Tender – Moldova’s National Agency for Energy Regulation is continuing to evaluate the results of a tender for 230MW of large-scale renewable energy projects.
- 180 MW Wind Project – Moldovan company, Energo Continent is continuing work on the Southern Moldova wind project at a site approximately 125 miles south-southeast of Chisinău.
- 3 MW Biomass Project – In March 2021, Moldavian energy company, Termoelectrica commissioned a biomass thermal power plant in the nation’s capital, Chisinău.
- 8 MW Solar Project – In December 2021, Termoelectrica commissioned a solar project at a site approximately 10 miles northeast of Chisinău.
- 1 MW Solar Project – In May 2018, Italian companies Fly Ren Energy and Consulcesi Tech commissioned a solar project at a site approximately 4 miles southeast of Chisinău.
Conclusions
Moldova imports all its fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for power generation, heating, and transportation. In 2021, Moldova imported U.S. $485 Million for refined petroleum and U.S. $362 Million for natural gas.
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand to place economic sanctions on Russian imports and exports. As a result, the crude oil and natural gas prices increased by over 50% from May 2021 to May 2022.
On 2 September 2022, Russian energy company, Gazprom announced a shutdown of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which exports natural gas to Moldova. On 31 October 2022, Gazprom cut supplies of natural gas to Moldova by 40%.
Moldova has significant undeveloped renewable energy resources, including hydropower, solar, wind, and biomass. Moldova is now fast tracking development of renewable energy projects as Russia cuts supplies of oil and natural gas.
Jack Kerfoot
Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”
www.jackkerfoot.com
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey and articles for The Hill, one of the largest independent political news sites in the United States. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio, podcast, and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on a diverse range of energy issues.