Moldova Solar Lighting Field Analysis

Does Moldova have a potential for wind & solar PV?

Though it is estimated that Moldova has significant technical potential for wind and solar PV (IRENA, 2019), by the end of 2020, only 72.91 MW had been realised.

What is the electricity system like in Moldova?

The electricity system in Moldova is characterised by its reliance on imports. In 2020, of its 4.4 TWh of electricity demand, 81% was supplied by imports, either from Ukraine (4%) or from the Cuciurgani-Moldavskaya GRES (MGRES) gas-fired power plant (77%) located in the breakaway region of Transnistria.

Is Moldova a member of the Energy Community?

In 2010, the Republic of Moldova (hereafter “Moldova”) became a full-fledged member of the Energy Community, which implied a commitment to adopt core European Union (EU) energy legislation. This has been reflected in its National Energy Strategy (NES) for 2030 which has three key objectives:

Who owns electricity in Moldova?

Electricity distribution in Moldova is comprised of two distribution system operators (DSO). RED North is 100% state-owned while Premier Energy Distribution is privately owned. The latter covers about 70% of the territory of Moldova (excluding the territory left of the Nistru River).

What is electricity demand in Moldova?

Electricity demand in Moldova is characterised by a winter peak demand. The typical load variation in the winter season, based on 2019 operational data is between a minimum base load of 540 MW and a maximum peak load of 950 MW, while in the summer, it varies from a minimum of 480 MW and a peak load of 800 MW.

Does Moldova have a power grid?

Moldova’s electricity grid was predominantly built in the time of the Soviet Union, making it relatively old and inefficient. It is synchronously interconnected with Ukraine’s Integrated Power System (IPS) and, in turn, Russia’s Unified Power System (UPS) in the northern and south-eastern parts of the grid.