During the Ministerial Plenary Session themed “Global Cooperation for a Resilient and Sustainable Energy Future”, Carolina Novac presented the progress made by the Republic of Moldova in its energy transition process. The State Secretary emphasized that the energy transition is not just a long-term goal based on decarbonization commitments and the promotion of green energy, but a national strategic priority, highlighting the substantial transformations achieved in recent years.
“The energy transition is more than a climate goal – it is a national strategic priority for the Republic of Moldova. In just four years, we’ve moved from one of the most vulnerable positions in Europe to strengthening energy security through concrete projects and connection to European networks, with a strategic and coherent approach focused on diversification, sustainability, and European integration,” stated Carolina Novac.
She pointed to several clear examples of regional interconnection efforts, such as synchronization with the European ENTSO-E continental grid, construction of the Vulcănești–Chișinău Energy Independence Line, and the launch of the Bălți–Suceava project. Additionally, Moldova has completed its first renewable energy auctions, while new tenders targeting energy storage solutions and the balancing market are currently being prepared. In parallel, investments have been made in energy efficiency and infrastructure digitalization in both the public and residential sectors.
Another key topic addressed by Carolina Novac was the launch of a new regional product in collaboration with four other countries along the Trans-Balkan corridor, enabling the transport of natural gas from Greece to Ukraine during June–October 2025, with at least a 25% cost reduction.
“This initiative will contribute to more efficient use of the transport infrastructure and will also enable the Republic of Moldova to access cheaper gas storage options in Ukraine,” concluded Carolina Novac.
On the sidelines of the event, the State Secretary met with Cristina Lobillo Borrero, Head of the Energy Platform Task Force at the European Commission’s DG ENER. Discussions focused on diversifying natural gas supply sources, progress in aligning Moldova’s legal framework with European standards, and fulfilling EU energy-related conditions.
Carolina Novac reiterated Moldova’s firm commitment to integrating its energy sector into the European Single Market, expressing gratitude for the European Union’s ongoing support — including its swift intervention that helped Moldova successfully overcome last winter’s energy crisis caused by Russia.
During a meeting with Elshad Nassirov, Vice President of Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR, Carolina Novac reaffirmed Moldova’s continued interest in diversifying energy sources, emphasizing its openness to importing petroleum products and natural gas from Azerbaijan under competitive conditions to ensure supply security and affordability.
She also invited SOCAR to participate in the upcoming round of tenders for large-scale renewable energy plants and energy storage solutions, given SOCAR’s active investments in renewables through its SOCAR Green subsidiary, which boasts an impressive portfolio of projects.
Both parties discussed mutually beneficial cooperation opportunities and the potential for Azerbaijani investment in Moldova’s national energy sector.
In addition, the State Secretary proposed enhancing information exchange on Moldova’s investment climate to attract new investors and foster strategic partnerships between the two countries.
In her talks with Kamal Abbasov, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Energy, they explored prospects for bilateral cooperation in energy projects, with a focus on renewables and Moldova’s participation in Azerbaijan’s international energy initiatives. They also expressed interest in contributing to the reconstruction of Ukraine, with Moldova having the potential to serve as a logistical hub for that effort.
In this context, Carolina Novac emphasized that Moldova aims to fully integrate into the European energy market by 2029, by aligning its energy system with that of the EU and developing a national energy market compatible with the European one.
She highlighted the significant growth in installed green energy capacity, which now exceeds 665 MW, eight times more than in 2021. In this regard, she invited Azerbaijani companies to take part in the upcoming round of tenders for large eligible producer status, which will also include battery energy storage systems (BESS) – an essential measure for grid stability and imbalance reduction.
Baku Energy Week included extensive discussions on globally relevant topics such as international energy cooperation, digitalization of energy systems using AI and data analytics, and the latest technological innovations in sustainable energy resource exploration and production.
