In the context of the implementation of the pilot program for the installation of smart meters, which is part of the national plan for digitization of the energy field, launched by the Government of the Republic of Moldova, through the Ministry of Energy with the support of the United Nations Development Program in Moldova (UNDP), a working meeting with the participation of system operators, electricity suppliers and the regulatory authority, such as FEE-Nord, RED-Nord, ANRE, Moldelectrica, PED, PE Furnizare and UNDP.

The Secretary of State, Cristina Pereteatcu, mentioned that the implementation of the project, as well as the elaboration of a cost-benefit analysis, is a conditionality regarding accessing the macro-financial support, and its delay will diminish the credibility regarding the implementation of such projects.

"This pilot program will contribute to the digitization of the energy sector, with smart meters being a necessary step for the introduction of differentiated tariffs for electricity, depending on the time of consumption. Smart grids will allow better consumption management and the integration of more renewable energy produced locally, and finally, to the reduction of energy dependence and greenhouse gas emissions", stated the State Secretary from the Ministry of Energy, Cristina Pereteatcu.

During the meeting, the aspects related to the particularities of the application of the tariff coefficients for the determination of the regulated electricity supply prices in the framework of the demonstration projects were discussed. In addition, the method of informing/convincing the beneficiaries about the fact that they can benefit from differentiated tariffs as a result of the installation of the smart measuring equipment was addressed, and the impact of the project is to be analyzed in the framework of an opinion survey.

We remind you that a first batch of smart meters is currently being installed at final consumers in several localities, as part of a pilot program carried out by the Ministry of Energy with the support of UNDP Moldova. Later, the program will be expanded, thanks to the financial support of the Italian Government, offered through the UNDP. Some of the meters are installed by Premier Energy Distribution in the city of Chisinau and six of its suburbs, and another part - by RED Nord, in the northern region, including in the suburb of Balti.

The meters are installed in households selected according to the criteria of geographic location, population density, level of energy vulnerability, socioeconomic status, infrastructure availability. In the European Union, over 50% of the meters are of the intelligent type, which allowed the reduction of commercial consumption in the network by up to 15% and by 5 percent of the technical one.