Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu discussed opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector with officials from Ireland, Norway, Canada and Lithuania on the sidelines of the informal meeting of EU Energy and Transport Ministers (TTE), held in Dublin. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, exchanging experience and identifying concrete areas of collaboration to support the modernization of the Republic of Moldova’s energy sector.

The Minister held meetings with his Irish counterpart, Darragh O’Brien, Norway’s State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Marte Haabeth Grindaker, and Lithuania’s Minister of Energy, Lukas Savickas. The discussions covered energy cooperation, energy efficiency, energy affordability, the modernization of district heating systems, the development of decentralized energy solutions, as well as cybersecurity.

The meetings with officials from Ireland and Lithuania took place in the context of Ireland currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, while Lithuania is set to assume this responsibility next. Against this backdrop, the discussions also addressed European energy priorities and the Republic of Moldova’s path towards European integration.

The Minister’s agenda also included discussions with representatives of Irish companies DCC Energy and Kingspan Group on their expertise and potential opportunities for cooperation in the Republic of Moldova, including in district heating, energy efficiency, building renovation and decentralized energy solutions.

“For the Republic of Moldova, energy efficiency means not only lower energy consumption, but also lower bills for citizens. That is why we need experience, technologies and investments that can turn energy efficiency into tangible results for people and the economy,” said Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu.

During the meeting with Lorcan Glancy, Development Director within DCC Energy’s Corporate Development Department, discussions also covered distribution and decentralized energy solutions, security of supply and the energy transition.

The dialogue with Anthony Doherty, Director of Government Relations at Kingspan Group, focused on energy efficiency, building renovation and the modernization of district heating systems.

Minister Dorin Junghietu spoke about the lessons the Republic of Moldova has learned from the energy crises of recent years, emphasizing that these experiences have demonstrated the need for a resilient energy system in which consumers are less exposed to external shocks and energy prices are determined by market conditions and the actual costs of supply.

Dorin Junghietu stressed that, for Moldova, this transformation involves both diversifying and securing energy supply sources and developing well-functioning energy markets that provide consumers with access to energy at the most competitive prices possible.

“The crises of recent years have shown us that energy security and energy affordability must be built together. For us, it is important that the transformation of the energy sector translates into more predictable costs for consumers. That is why dialogue with European partners and companies with experience in these areas is very important,” said Dorin Junghietu.

In this context, the Minister highlighted the importance of cooperation with European Union Member States and European companies with expertise in developing and operating modern energy services. The exchange of experience can contribute to identifying solutions adapted to the realities of the Republic of Moldova, particularly for modernizing district heating, developing decentralized energy services and improving the energy performance of buildings.