The volume of electricity from renewable sources is estimated to exceed 10% this year, in the context in which the Republic of Moldova undertook to reach a target of up to 30% by 2030. According to Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov, the progress in recent years has been remarkable as the share of electricity from renewable sources in 2021 was only 3%. The state does not want to stop at what has been achieved but, on the contrary, to accelerate, IPN reports.
“In terms of installed capacities, we already have 348 MW of renewable energy in Moldova. We have about 130 MW installed by consumers through both mechanisms – net metering and net billing. This benefits about 6,000 consumers, of which about 4,500 are household customers and 1,500 are non-household customers. We still have over 150 MW of renewable energy through the fixed charge mechanism, mostly solar one,” Victor Parlicov told a press conference.
The authorities are in the process of initiating tender contests for large capacities for the 60 MW of photovoltaic energy and under 5 MW of wind energy. “Respectively, for the system of the Republic of Moldova, the installed renewable energy capacities are somehow impressive and this includes only the capacities installed through the support mechanisms granted by the law and the state. In addition to this, in the free market we still have over 100 MW of renewable energy – first of all we are talking about used wind turbines, which are not part of and do not benefit from any support mechanism from the state. These were investments made by investors at their own risk,” said the minister.
He also said that green energy producers in the Republic of Moldova will benefit from a series of concessions for the installation and use of renewable energy sources. A draft amendment to the law on the promotion of renewable energy sources was adopted this week by Parliament after giving it a final reading.
It goes to the facilitation of the functioning of local energy communities. The electricity produced in a certain place could be consumed by community members in several places of consumption. Farmers will also be able to install panels and to power equipment located in different places, such as refrigerators, irrigation pumps, offices, etc. The local public authorities will also benefit from these changes as they can install photovoltaic panels and power public buildings, such as kindergartens, schools, medical points, mayor’s offices, etc. Also, associations of condominium co-owners, Local Action Groups, Intercommunity Development Associations can form part of energy communities.
The provisions oblige universal service providers to conclude contracts with energy communities and to purchase the excess electricity produced. The eventual profit obtained can be used by energy communities only for development and dividends cannot be paid. At the proposal of the Ministry of Energy, with the provision being included in the fiscal policy for 2025, these incomes of prosumers or energy communities will not be taxed.
