During his visit to Washington on 23 February 2026, Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu held meetings with representatives of the World Bank Group, discussing the progress and challenges of projects financed in the Republic of Moldova, including the Vulcănești–Chișinău Energy Independence Line, the 55 MW high-efficiency gas engine cogeneration project, as well as financing and implementation options for a new gas-fired cogeneration plant of 250 MW (electric) and 180 MW (thermal). The Minister emphasized the strategic importance of these projects, and the World Bank representatives reaffirmed their support in identifying the most optimal and cost-effective solutions for continuing these initiatives.

Additionally, during the same visit, the Minister met with a representative of Carlyle Group Inc., a global investment fund managing assets worth over USD 400 billion, including oil and gas assets in Europe. The discussions focused on Carlyle Group’s acquisition of Lukoil International GmbH (LIG) assets and plans for further development of these assets.

The Minister reiterated the position of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, welcoming the company’s intention to manage the entire LIG business in the region through a specialized oil company, and noted that the government is closely monitoring the approval process of this transaction by the U.S. Treasury’s OFAC Office.