The Republic of Moldova is recording a steady increase in the number of jobs in the renewable energy sector, according to the Renewable Energy and Jobs report prepared by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

According to the report’s data, in 2024 the renewable energy sector supported several thousand jobs in the Republic of Moldova, providing one of the most detailed snapshots of the labor market in the region. Biomass energy generated approximately 290 jobs, solar photovoltaic energy more than 1,200 direct jobs, wind energy 376 jobs, and small hydropower 26 jobs, based on data collected from industry sources and installer registries. The trend is clearly upward, as investments in green energy continue to accelerate.

At the global level, the IRENA report shows that in 2024 the renewable energy sector provided 16.6 million jobs worldwide, an increase of 2.3% compared to 2023. The largest number of jobs was recorded in the solar photovoltaic sector (7.2 million jobs), followed by biofuels (2.6 million), hydropower (2.3 million), wind energy (1.9 million), solid biomass (0.7 million), heat pumps (0.4 million), geothermal energy (0.2 million), concentrated solar power (0.1 million), solar heating and cooling (0.6 million), and biogas (0.3 million).

IRENA particularly appreciated the Republic of Moldova’s contribution to this report, highlighting the effective cooperation with national institutions and the availability of employment data in the renewable energy sector. The Agency’s representatives thanked the authorities and partners in the Republic of Moldova for their active involvement and constructive dialogue, which made it possible to highlight positive developments in the region.

It is worth noting that over the past year Moldova has recorded a significant acceleration of its green transition. The country is approaching the threshold of 1,000 MW of installed renewable energy capacity, a result that confirms the sector’s attractiveness for investors and the stability of the regulatory framework. In this context, last year the first competitive auction was held for 165 MW of solar and wind capacity, with an estimated investment value of approximately €200 million over the next three years—investments expected to generate nearly 400 new jobs.

Currently, the second auction is underway for the construction of wind power plants with a total capacity of 170 MW, which also includes the obligation to install energy storage systems totaling 44 MWh, an essential element for the stability and security of the energy system.

We recall that Moldova has been a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency since 2011, three years after the Agency’s establishment. Over time, the country has benefited from specialized studies, technical assistance, and training programs provided by IRENA, which have contributed to improving the regulatory framework and to the development of the renewable energy sector.