On Wednesday, the Ministry of Energy hosted the meeting of the Sectoral Council on External Assistance for the Energy Sector, organized with the support of UNDP Moldova and the Government of Denmark.

The event brought together representatives of institutions from the energy sector, international development partners, representatives of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), development cooperation agencies, including the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and other supporters of energy sector reform in the Republic of Moldova.

At the opening of the meeting, Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu expressed appreciation for the continuous support provided by international partners for the critical transformations in the energy sector. In his speech, the official emphasized the importance of close cooperation between Moldova and its development partners, highlighting that despite recent crises, the country’s energy sector has continued to develop, strengthening its security and independence.

"This is the first meeting of the Sectoral Council on External Assistance held after yet another crisis caused by Russia, particularly in the energy sector. These challenges have not only tested our ability to respond swiftly but also to find solutions ensuring that our citizens on both banks of the Nistru River have access to energy. With your support, we have managed to overcome many of the obstacles we faced and accelerate the development of the sector," stated Minister Dorin Junghietu at the opening of the event.

During the discussions, the Ministry of Energy requested support from international partners for the completion of strategic projects, including the finalization of local energy infrastructure projects, the development of the biogas sector, strengthening investment and innovation testing capacities, as well as enhancing cybersecurity in the energy field.

"Our absolute priority remains the completion of infrastructure projects, particularly those aimed at energy interconnection with Romania. These interconnection projects will significantly contribute to our integration into the European energy market and support the process of joining the European Union," added the minister.

The meeting also covered future plans for the development of the energy sector, including increasing the use of renewable energy solutions, expanding energy storage capacities, and implementing a state aid scheme for investments in the industrial sector, with a special focus on "net-zero" technologies.

Among the successes achieved with the support of development partners, the minister highlighted the approval of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, demonstrating Moldova's commitment to the international community in achieving its decarbonization goals. The document was developed with support from the European Union and UNDP Moldova.

Dorin Junghietu concluded the meeting by emphasizing the importance of continuing collaboration and strengthening capacities to transform international support into sustainable development for the Republic of Moldova’s energy sector.