The Cabinet of Ministers today approved certain amendments regarding the mechanism for implementing innovations in the energy sector. Thus, the composition of the Commission for Innovative Regulatory Testing Spaces in the field of energy — also known as the Energy Sandbox — will be expanded.

This decision supports the Government’s efforts to create a favorable framework for innovation by establishing regulatory experimentation spaces, concepts already successfully used in several European Union member states. These allow collaboration between innovators and authorities to test and validate innovative solutions in controlled conditions before their full integration into regulated systems.

The main approved changes include:

• The inclusion, as permanent members, of one representative each from the central specialized authorities in the fields of economic development and digitalization, as well as from the field of infrastructure and regional development;

• The removal of the three internationally recognized independent experts from the permanent membership of the Commission. However, they may still be invited, when necessary, to participate in the Commission’s work as advisory members with expert status, but without voting rights in the decision-making process regarding the evaluation of innovative testing projects, provided they are registered in the national register of independent experts.

These amendments will help strengthen the energy sector’s regulatory framework, support the protection of end consumers, improve access to energy sources, and contribute to the prevention of energy poverty.

The “Energy Sandbox” project is unique in the region and serves as an essential tool for promoting innovation in the energy sector by supporting local and international solutions with the potential to transform this strategic field.

The amendments were developed with the support of UNDP Moldova and the Government of Denmark.