State Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Carolina Novac, participated in the Annual Meeting of Moldovan Ambassadors, where she presented the main developments in the energy sector and the strategic directions of national energy policies, in the context of energy security and European integration.

In her speech, Carolina Novac emphasized that energy security is one of the strategic priorities of the Republic of Moldova, in a regional environment marked by geopolitical instability and market volatility. The energy crisis of 2022–2024 highlighted structural vulnerabilities but also triggered a profound paradigm shift, accelerating reforms and Moldova’s integration into the European energy market.

“Today, the Republic of Moldova is no longer dependent on direct natural gas supplies from the Russian Federation for the right bank, and as of 1 January 2025, electricity imports from MGRES have also ceased. The energy system now operates based on source diversification, integration into the European market, and strengthening internal capacities,” stated the State Secretary.

Referring to the electricity sector, Carolina Novac noted that domestic production covers approximately 30–36% of consumption needs, with the remainder supplied through imports from Romania. In this context, SA Energocom plays a crucial role, ensuring supply continuity under its public service obligation in a volatile market environment. She also highlighted risks related to limited interconnection capacities and the temporary solutions implemented with the support of ENTSO-E, the European Commission, and the Energy Community Secretariat.

A special emphasis was placed on strategic infrastructure investments. The 400 kV Vulcănești–Chișinău power line project, currently in an advanced stage of implementation, will eliminate technical dependence on infrastructure in the Transnistrian region and significantly increase import capacity. Other major projects, such as Bălți–Suceava and Strășeni–Gutinaș, will strengthen redundancy and resilience in the national energy system.

In the natural gas sector, the State Secretary highlighted structural transformations achieved in recent years, with full orientation toward European markets. For the 2025–2026 heating season, over 90% of the forecasted gas demand is already secured, and Moldova currently holds gas reserves equivalent to approximately 20% of annual consumption—the highest level recorded to date. Access to the Iași–Ungheni–Chișinău interconnector and participation in the Vertical Gas Corridor further strengthen regional energy security.

Carolina Novac also emphasized significant progress in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Installed renewable energy capacity has reached 933 MW, about five times higher than in 2022, and the share of renewable energy in final electricity consumption is estimated at around 25% in 2025. At the same time, major energy efficiency programs are targeting the renovation of public buildings and supporting households through initiatives such as the “Green House” program and the Appliance Voucher Program.

In conclusion, the State Secretary stressed that Moldova has moved from a reactive to a strategic approach in the energy sector. “External risks remain, but the fundamental difference today is that the state now has real tools to manage them. The direction is clear: energy security, European integration, infrastructure investments, renewable energy, and energy efficiency,” Carolina Novac stated.