Oleg PETELCA (FEE Nord, Bălți), at FERM 2025: “Digitalization and interconnections with Romania are the key to Moldova’s energy balance”

REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025

19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, 9–13 July 2025

Thematic Panel:

Energy and the Transition to a Sustainable Energy System

Speaker:

Oleg Petelca – General Director, S.A. Furnizarea Energiei Electrice Nord (FEE Nord), Bălți, Republic of Moldova

Topic of the Intervention:

“Smart Metering of Electricity – Essential Infrastructure for the Digitalization of Services and Modernization of the Energy System in the Republic of Moldova”

Panel 5 – Energy within the Regional Economic Forum Moldova (FERM 2025), held from 9–13 July in Vatra Dornei, highlighted the challenges and solutions in the Moldovan energy sector. Among the speakers was Oleg Petelca, General Director of S.A. Furnizarea Energiei Electrice Nord (FEE Nord), Bălți, who emphasized the major transformations the energy market is undergoing and the concrete steps to ensure stability and efficiency in electricity supply.

From Dependence on Dnestrovsk to Local Production and Imports from Romania

Oleg Petelca reminded that for many years, the majority of electricity supplied to consumers in northern Moldova came from the Dnestrovsk thermal power plant, located on the left bank of the Dniester River.

“Since January 1, 2025, we no longer purchase any kilowatt of electricity from this plant. We source our energy from the thermal power plants in Bălți and Chișinău, and increasingly from renewable sources.”

This change revealed a structural imbalance: while consumption peaks in the morning and evening, photovoltaic energy production is concentrated around noon.

“When the price is lowest, consumption is low. And when consumption is highest, in the evening, the price is the highest,” Petelca explained.

To balance the system, solutions come on multiple fronts: interconnections with Romania, development of storage capacities, and smart commercial mechanisms for suppliers and consumers.

Smart Metering – The Foundation of a Modern Supply System

One of FEE Nord’s priorities is the implementation of a smart metering system that allows hourly monitoring of consumption and adaptation of commercial offers.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, UNDP Moldova, and with financial support from the Italian Government, a pilot project was launched.

“We are installing 35,000 smart meters, and by 2026 we will reach 100,000 units, which represents approximately 7% of consumers in the Republic of Moldova.”

This project is not limited to equipment; it also includes the infrastructure for remote data transmission, integration into distributors’ systems, and adaptation of billing software.

“We need cooperation with Romanian companies that have already implemented this system, to learn from their experience and avoid mistakes,” added the FEE Nord director.

Tough Questions from the Audience: “Why Are Prices Higher in the North?”

The dialogue became more concrete with the intervention of Alexandru Gamanjii, representative of ADR Chișinău, who raised a question directly related to consumers.

“The price per 1 kWh for household consumers in northern Moldova has always been higher than for consumers served by Premier Energy. What is the cause of these price differences? Is it the outdated infrastructure of the company, the lack of smart metering, high distribution network losses? Why are the prices so high?”

Oleg Petelca’s Clarifications

In reply, the FEE Nord director explained that tariffs include two components: distribution and transport costs and energy procurement costs. While suppliers have no influence over the first component, recent data show that in terms of procurement, northern consumers even have an advantage.

“At least in 2024–2025, our procurement price is not higher, but even lower than Premier Energy in some months. The difference appears in the distribution tariff, which is higher in the north due to lower consumer density and extended infrastructure. The line length per consumer is higher, making service more expensive,” Petelca clarified.

Support from the Moderator and Conclusions

The panel moderator, Ion Ștefanovici, appreciated the clarity and consistency of the presentation.

“For me, it is very clear where you started, where you have reached, and how you should adapt. I assure you of our full support, both here and in Bucharest, for the steps you intend to take.”

Thus, FERM 2025 reconfirmed that the energy future of Moldova depends on regional cooperation, digitalization, and rapid adaptation to new market realities. It is not only about energy security but also about the country’s ability to modernize and meet consumer expectations through a resilient, competitive, and forward-looking system.

Oleg Petelca’s intervention at FERM 2025 provided a clear overview of the transformations in Moldova’s energy sector and the strategic directions for the future. While supply previously relied almost entirely on the Dnestrovsk plant, today Moldova is rapidly diversifying its sources, with emphasis on local production and interconnections with Romania.

Challenges remain significant: the gap between consumption hours and renewable production hours, high peak-time prices, and tariff differences across regions. The responses come through investments in infrastructure and technology – smart metering, energy storage, and flexible commercial mechanisms – all aimed at increasing transparency and efficiency in the relationship with the consumer.