Experts from the US Department of Energy have conducted a study of Moldova's energy sector and made a series of recommendations to strengthen the physical and cyber security of critical infrastructure. According to Nathan Reich, an international relations specialist at the Department of Energy, the recommendations are aimed at preventing possible attacks on critical infrastructure in the context of the energy crisis and, in particular, Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The recommendations cover 5 areas - national security, foreign investment, zero net carbon emissions, regional energy security and Moldova's accession to the European Union.

Two national laboratories from the United States, specialized in energy research and technically and financially equipped at a very high level, participated in the elaboration of the study and will be able to continue their collaboration with the Chisinau authorities.

State Secretary in the Energy Ministry, Constantin Borosan, thanked for the assistance provided by the United States, pointing out that a similar study, developed in 2019 by Idaho National Lab for the national system operator, Moldelectrica, carried out modeling for possible emergency situations.

"The results of this study were very useful to us on the eve of the energy crisis, including in the context of a possible disconnection from the Ukrainian energy system. Based on them, the preparedness plan for the 2022-2023 cold season was drafted, and now we are in the final stages with the new plan. The document also envisages 3 scenarios, the worst-case being a total halt of natural gas deliveries by Gazprom, including for the left bank of the Dniester. In this case, however, the situation will become a regional problem," Constantin Borosan said.

State Secretary for Decarbonization Carolina Novac, who attended the meeting, underlined the importance of the study. "If energy security is not ensured, we cannot talk about decarbonization of the economy. But here we have very ambitious plans, both at the level of the legislative and regulatory framework and at the level of concrete actions with secured funding - massive investments in increasing energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, etc.", said Carolina Novac.