Energy Minister Victor Parlicov had a meeting with representatives of Schneider Electric company, which will use the innovative energy regulatory testing facilities in Moldova. The Minister reiterated that the promotion of innovative technologies in our country will bring considerable investments and new jobs, and the experience and technological solutions, developed and made available by Schneider Electric, could boost the electrification of the energy sector, thus contributing to the energy transition process.

"We welcome the presence of reputable companies that have come to explore innovation opportunities in the Republic of Moldova, it is important for citizens to feel the full benefits of the transformation of the energy sector and the rapprochement with the EU, we are moving fast in this direction and the innovative testing projects could help us to integrate as much green energy produced in Moldova as possible and export it in the future", said Victor Parlicov.

Schneider Electric is the first company to have signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Moldova for the use of innovative energy regulatory testing spaces, known as Sandboxes. The concept for the development of the Energy Innovative Technology Test Centers was developed with the support of UNDP Moldova, with funding from Denmark, Luxembourg, the Republic of Korea and Sweden.

During the discussions with Schneider Electric representatives, the crucial importance of digitalization and electrification of the energy sector for advancing the energy transition was underlined, processes that are vital not only for optimizing energy production and consumption, but also for developing a flexible and sustainable energy system that promotes a cleaner energy future.

Present at the talks, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Cristina Pereteatcu, reiterated that the Sandboxes will also provide a flexible legal framework for research and development, helping to optimize electricity storage and distribution, as well as promote renewable energy in Moldova.

"The road to digitalization goes hand in hand with cybersecurity, the energy sector is rapidly transforming there is a need for a clear vision from the Ministry of Energy, thus the idea was born to develop in Moldova the Sandbox concept, which at the same time will contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development objectives of the energy sector, attracting investments in the energy efficiency sector, as well as increasing the share of renewable energy in energy consumption," stressed Cristina Pereteatcu.

Representatives of Schneider Electric also visited a modern innovation center, built with the financial support of USAID Moldova, which is to be commissioned in the fall of 2024. The Tech Zone launch will provide spaces for testing innovative energy technologies. The Tech Zone will also train students as well as current employees in the sector to develop new engineering skills. As a reminder, the draft law on innovative energy testing spaces was approved by the Government last week.