In 2023, statistics showed that renewable energy sources accounted for just 6% of electricity consumption. Among these, 54% came from wind energy, 34% from photovoltaic energy, and 6% each from hydro and biogas energy.
As a guest for the “Telematinal” program on TVR Moldova, Dinu Țurcanu, Vice-Rector for Digitalization at the Technical University of Moldova, addressed the challenges hindering the expansion and development of renewable energy in the Republic of Moldova. The discussion, held in conjunction with Light Day on May 8 and the International Day of Light (UNESCO) on May 16, highlighted initiatives implemented in our country and provided useful and practical advice to household consumers. The conversation focused on the importance of renewable energy in fostering global sustainability and a resilient future, while examining its current status within the national energy landscape.
Referring to Moldova’s energy consumption structure and its constraints, Mr. Țurcanu emphasized that renewable energy in Moldova encounters several obstacles to its expansion and development. Nevertheless, recognizing the potential and benefits of this energy source remains crucial.
One of the main challenges in expanding renewable energy in Moldova is the structure of energy consumption. Currently, electricity usage shows significant peaks in the morning and evening, coinciding with peak appliance use by households. These spikes in consumption present a hurdle for integrating larger quantities of renewable energy into the power grid.
Mr. Țurcanu explained that because of these consumption peaks, Moldova is limited in how much renewable energy it can integrate into its energy system. Annually, Moldova consumes approximately 4 million MWh of electricity. Nearly 45% of this is used in households, with only 15% in industry. This consumption structure generates consumption peaks of about 700 MW in the morning and evening, as people prepare for their day or return home and use various appliances. Conversely, nighttime consumption drops to 180 MW.
Due to these consumption peaks, Moldova can only integrate a minimal amount of nighttime energy—180 MW for wind energy and a maximum of 700 MW for photovoltaic energy production. Any excess renewable energy produced beyond this capacity would either be exported for free to Romania or Ukraine, with which Moldova is interconnected, or, in some cases, Moldova might have to pay a fee for unbalancing the energy network in Romania or Ukraine.
In this regard, the Vice-Rector presented the State’s efforts to promote and support renewable energy production. Among these initiatives is a new law introducing net metering for household consumers, effective from January 1, 2024. This legislation enables consumers to install photovoltaic panels and benefit from a billing system that favors them. Moreover, the State ensures a stable purchasing price for renewable energy over a 15-year period, incentivizing investments in this sector. Nonetheless, the capacity for integrating renewable energy into the energy grid remains restricted to 105 MW for wind energy and 60 MW for photovoltaic energy.
In this context, Mr. Țurcanu highlighted the critical role of managing consumer behavior and debunked common misconceptions among the population regarding renewable energy. According to the Vice-Rector, the balancing system aims to guide consumers in properly sizing their installed panels and structuring their energy consumption patterns.
Today, there is a promising trend towards increased adoption of renewable energy in Moldova, supported by a growing interest in renewable energy programs offered at the UTM Faculty of Electrical Engineering. These programs integrate both traditional energy studies and information technologies, complemented by dedicated laboratories for renewable energy research. This approach ensures high success rates for students in this dynamic field, as pointed out by the Vice-Rector.
Promoting and developing renewable energy represents an important step towards a sustainable future for Moldova. With the support of the State and the active involvement of citizens and industry specialists, achieving the targets outlined in the country’s integrated energy and climate plan is feasible. Mr. Țurcanu emphasized the aim to reach a minimum of 30% renewable energy in total energy production by 2030, underscoring the importance of collective effort in realizing this vision.
Through innovative research, high-quality education, industry knowledge dissemination, and active participation in policy-making, UTM becomes a fundamental pillar in transforming the country’s energy sector. With its vast experience and qualified human resources, UTM stands as a trusted partner in creating a more sustainable and greener future for the Republic of Moldova.
