The synchronization of the national energy system with the continental one, ENTSO-E, was in fact the event that contributed the most to strengthening Moldova's energy independence, and not the diversification of sources of natural gas, said Energy Minister Victor Parlicov on Tuesday, during a meeting with a group of Norwegian MPs, members of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Storting of the Kingdom of Norway.

While the main public focus has been on securing gas stocks and diversifying suppliers, which allowed us to stop buying gas from Gazprom, the biggest impact has been the connection to the European energy system with Ukraine. This allowed us to ensure system stability when Russia bombed Ukraine's energy infrastructure and to move forward with other major reforms, including those with a long-term impact," said Victor Parlicov. At the same time, every household, business or public institution depends on electricity, while gas is the main source of heating for only about a third of consumers, and its importance for the economy is artificially exaggerated, the official said.

The Energy Minister described the priorities for the development of the energy sector, based on the objective of decarbonization of the Republic of Moldova by 2050. One of the priorities is the reduction of energy consumption through energy rehabilitation of public and residential buildings, as the buildings sector accounts for the largest share in final energy consumption. This will also reduce household energy costs and the impact of international developments on consumers.

Another priority is the electrification of transport and better integration of renewable energy into the electricity grid. This will address the problems of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector, as well as increasing power generation capacities.

Victor Parlicov was interested in Norway's experience in the field of renewable energy, which, despite being a large producer of fossil energy resources, nevertheless has more advanced policies to promote renewables than many other countries.