Dorin Junghietu: “The development of energy storage capacities is a strategic priority for the Republic of Moldova”

The Ministry of Energy, together with renewable energy producers, representatives of the banking sector and financial institutions, analyzed the development prospects of Moldova’s green energy market, the investment needs for storage capacities, and the support instruments required for a more efficient use of renewable energy production.

Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu stressed that the development of energy storage infrastructure is a strategic priority for the country.

“We already have investors who have built photovoltaic capacities, and there is already an energy surplus during certain periods of the day. The solution is to store this energy and use it during peak hours. In this way, we help investors increase the profitability of their projects, while the Republic of Moldova reduces its dependence on imports and its exposure to regional market volatility,” the minister stated.

Authorities announced that they are preparing legislative amendments aimed at accelerating investments in energy storage systems (BESS) and renewable energy projects. Among the measures being considered are state aid mechanisms to support storage investments, as well as the possibility of deferring VAT payments on imports for up to 28 months, with the payment obligation to be cancelled if the projects are completed within the established deadlines.

At the same time, the government is examining ways to simplify administrative procedures, including removing the requirement for construction permits and zonal urban plans for certain BESS facilities and renewable energy parks, in order to reduce implementation times and encourage investments.

According to the presented data, the Republic of Moldova currently has around 1,023 MW of installed renewable energy generation capacity, approximately 72% of which comes from photovoltaic installations. The rapid growth of these capacities has generated a significant electricity surplus during daytime hours, which cannot be efficiently utilized without storage solutions.

The Ministry of Energy estimates that the national energy system requires at least 600 MWh of storage capacity in order to transfer energy produced during the day to the evening peak consumption periods, thereby reducing imports and strengthening the country’s energy security.

In this context, officials also noted that the country’s largest battery system, with a capacity of 60 MWh, was recently commissioned. Together with other storage facilities, it currently covers around 7% of consumption during peak hours. Additional energy storage projects are expected to be launched in the near future.