Six young researchers started their internship today at the Ministry of Energy, where they will develop public policy documents such as stimulating the integration of electric cars into the national grid to take over the surplus of renewable energy, the analysis and development of the regulatory framework for the effective implementation of the Super-Esco Program, aimed at improving the energy efficiency of public buildings or identifying sources for modernizing the infrastructure of the thermo-energy sector.

The young specialists will work in the subdivisions of the ministry for six months, the program is organized with the support of the Soros Foundation Moldova, in partnership with Green City Lab.

Ruslan Graur will be an intern in the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Directorate. The young man admitted that three years ago the natural gas sector was not such a relevant topic for Moldovan society, but the transformations in the sector over the last year, in terms of diversification of gas supply routes and sources, have prompted him to try a new experience in this field. "First of all, gas prices have gone up and that has affected people a lot. We all know that gas and oil underpin the world economy, to a large extent. If the Republic of Moldova wants to move towards economic development, we need to work harder to find more affordable sources of gas," Ruslan Graur said.

Eugen Muravschi returned to the Republic of Moldova after a master's degree in Europe, at the ministry he will be in charge of externally funded projects that will help modernize thermal power plants and district heating systems. "I am participating in this program to contribute to the modernization of the energy sector in the country, which accelerated with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There are many important directions of work in energy, but the thermal energy and cogeneration direction is very important. It's hard to talk about the technologies of the future when you don't have heat everywhere in your home," he said.

The ministry's state secretaries encouraged young people to put their shoulder to the wheel of change in the energy sector and to remain as brave and open to knowledge. "The public policy topics you will be working on are very topical for our country. The times we are living in have led to the creation of a new ministry, which we are building from four people in the energy sphere in October 2021, within the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development," noted State Secretary Constantin Borosan, who thanked the development partners for their contribution to institutional fortification.

According to Inei Crețu, program officer of the Soros Foundation Moldova, the aim of the internship program is to bring new forces within the ministry, knowledge, experience and innovative ideas, which will help the sector and the ministry to move forward on the reform agenda.
"We are proud of this partnership, and six months from now I hope to discuss the new ideas and solutions that young people will come up with for a robust and resilient energy sector," said Daniela Vidaicu, Director of Advocacy and Programs at Soros Foundation Moldova.

In the coming period, Soros Foundation Moldova will assist the Ministry of Energy in improving the governance of state-owned enterprises in the energy sector, studying the issue of gas network management belonging to local governments, associations and individuals, as well as for public communication activities in the context of Russia's hybrid war against the Republic of Moldova, where disinformation and information diversions on energy are part of the daily toolkit for the intoxication of public opinion and destabilization of society.