The Minister of Energy, Dorin Junghietu, participated in the 9th edition of the Balkan Energy Summit, held from April 29–30, 2025, in Athens, Greece.

During a panel discussion dedicated to strategic energy cooperation in the Balkans, the Minister highlighted the essential contribution of regional cooperation in achieving the Republic of Moldova’s goals for energy resilience and connectivity. He reiterated Moldova’s interest in the Trans-Balkan Electric Corridor as an integral part of the national strategy to strengthen energy infrastructure and diversify supply routes and sources.

The Minister also emphasized that the Republic of Moldova continues to develop large-scale renewable energy projects. Thanks to favorable weather conditions, these sources are covering an increasingly significant share of domestic electricity consumption.

“In January, local renewable energy sources covered around 8% of total electricity consumption, in February 6%, in March 10%, and already in April they covered over 20%, reaching a historic peak of 34% on one particular day. We have very clear objectives for attracting investment and developing renewable energy. The winners of the first tender for the construction of wind and photovoltaic power plants, with a total capacity of 165 MW, will be announced soon. The investments estimated from this round amount to approximately 200 million euros. Additionally, a new round of tenders will be launched this fall for the development of large renewable parks, which will also include modern energy storage systems,” said the Minister.

It is worth mentioning that since 2020, renewable energy production capacity has increased approximately eightfold, reaching a total of over 646 MW as of February this year.

Regarding the diversification of electricity sources, the Minister mentioned the role of Energocom, the public service-obligated company responsible for acquiring the necessary electricity for consumption on the right bank of the Dniester. In the first three months of 2025, Energocom purchased electricity from Romanian, Ukrainian, and local producers, including energy generated from renewable sources in Moldova.

The importance of international cooperation in this field was also highlighted. In 2023, Energocom signed a framework agreement (EFET) with the Bulgarian company Nomad Energy Company LTD, which specializes in electricity trading. This partnership remains active and continues to be a vital solution for meeting Moldova’s energy needs, especially since, as of January 1, 2025, the right bank no longer procures electricity from MGRES.

All these initiatives are part of a comprehensive national energy strategy aimed at integrating the Republic of Moldova into the European energy market, through the development of modern infrastructure, increased domestic production capacity, and the establishment of strategic partnerships at both regional and international levels.

Dorin Junghietu also reiterated the indispensable role of the Vertical Corridor in ensuring the energy security of the Republic of Moldova and in guaranteeing the continuous supply of natural gas. He also stressed the importance of establishing a single and transparent tariff along the entire corridor route as a key tool for enhancing commercial viability and long-term sustainability.

Moreover, the Minister emphasized the ongoing need to diversify energy supply sources to strengthen the country's energy resilience against crises triggered by the Russian Federation.

On the sidelines of the summit, Dorin Junghietu held discussions with several officials and industry experts, exchanging views on the development of strategic projects for energy diversification and Moldova’s integration into European energy networks.

The Balkan Energy Summit was organized by Net Zero Circle. The event brought together energy leaders from across the region to discuss energy transition and security.