The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova approved today, in the first and second readings, several fundamental legislative projects that will substantially contribute to strengthening the country's energy security and resilience. These laws aim to reform the regulatory framework in the field of electricity and natural gas, as well as to accelerate strategic energy interconnection projects with the European Union.

 

Thus, the new version of the Law on Electricity, drafted by the Ministry of Energy, was approved in the first reading, which transposes the European Union's IV Energy Package into national legislation - an essential component of the "Clean Energy for All Europeans" package.

 

This law aims to align national legislation with European standards and will allow the coupling of the national electricity market with that of the European Union.

 

The main provisions of the new law involve the introduction of licensing for new activities such as energy storage, trading and electricity aggregation; regulation of the functioning of wholesale energy markets, including the balancing market and spot markets; promoting infrastructure for electric vehicles and smart metering technologies; strengthening consumer rights, including by facilitating the change of supplier within a maximum of 24 hours by 2026; establishing extended responsibilities for ANRE and system operators in managing the market and energy crises, as well as supporting the development of renewable sources and energy communities.

 

The draft law was developed by the Ministry of Energy, with the support of the USAID Moldova Project "Energy Security of the Republic of Moldova" (MESA), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the EU High Advisers' Mission, to ensure the transposition of the European Union Energy Package on the integration of the electricity market.

 

Also in the first reading, today the Parliament approved amendments to the Law on Natural Gas. The draft aims to introduce a single tariff for natural gas distribution to stimulate competition; the transition of large industrial consumers to the free market, according to a calendar established by ANRE; adjusting the mechanism for the establishment of mandatory stocks to 15% of annual consumption; facilitating the development of gasification networks with the support of local authorities; creating a price comparison platform for end consumers.

 

This legislative initiative was developed with the support of the European Union, USAID and the EBRD, in accordance with the commitments assumed in the Letter of Intent signed by the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the European Commission in February 2025.

 

In the second reading, the Parliament adopted the draft law on declaring the construction of the 400 kV Balti–Suceava overhead power line and the modernization of the Balti substation as public utility projects of national interest.

 

This decision aims to accelerate administrative procedures and facilitate access to financing for the implementation of the project, which represents a strategic step in connecting the Republic of Moldova to the continental ENTSO-E network. The project will be carried out with the financial support of the EBRD, the EIB and the European Union, with a total value of 37 million euros, with a completion date of 2027.

 

The new line, with a length of about 48 km on the national territory, will cross 12 localities and will support the interconnection with Romania and the European Union, thus strengthening the energy security and stability of the electricity system.

 

These legislative initiatives contribute significantly to the process of transforming the national energy system, ensuring alignment with European standards, stimulating competition and ensuring a secure and sustainable energy supply for all citizens of the Republic of Moldova.