The main areas for future grant assistance to be provided to the Republic of Moldova by the Kingdom of Norway were discussed today during a meeting between representatives of the Ministry of Energy and the National Center for Sustainable Energy (NCSE) and representatives of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad).

The priorities include the development of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and the expansion of the Household Appliance Voucher Programme (EcoVoucher), which supports the replacement of old household appliances with new, energy-efficient equipment. The new investments aim to increase power system flexibility, facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources, and reduce household energy consumption.

Vitalie Mîța, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, highlighted the importance of Norway’s support in accelerating the transformation of the Republic of Moldova’s energy sector.

“Cooperation with the Kingdom of Norway is important for developing solutions that address both the current needs of the energy system and our long-term objectives. Investments in energy storage and energy efficiency enable us to build a more flexible and resilient system that is better prepared to integrate renewable energy,” said Vitalie Mîța.

Norway could contribute to financing a mechanism for providing loan guarantees and partially covering bank interest costs for companies that install energy storage systems. The mechanism will be managed by the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA) and is expected to provide public support of MDL 1.4 billion, enabling the mobilization of approximately MDL 10 billion in private investment. The implementation of this mechanism will contribute to the development of modern energy storage infrastructure, reducing imbalances in the power system and increasing the resilience of the energy sector.

At present, the storage capacity of the approximately 30 battery systems operating in the country stands at 150 MWh, which is less than 10% of peak-hour requirements. This capacity could increase more than fourfold by the end of the year, representing approximately EUR 150 million in private investment. Currently, the State exempts renewable energy producers purchasing energy storage batteries from import duties and provides rapid VAT refunds.

Another area of cooperation with the Kingdom of Norway concerns the EcoVoucher Programme. Through this programme, households can receive vouchers covering up to 70% of the cost of new equipment, contributing both to lower energy consumption and to reducing household expenditure on energy bills.

Ion Muntean, Director of the National Center for Sustainable Energy, thanked the Government of Norway for its support for the EcoVoucher Programme, which has benefited approximately 25,000 households. Beneficiary households are currently recording savings on their energy bills estimated at approximately MDL 20 million annually in total.

“Expanding the EcoVoucher Programme and developing support mechanisms for energy storage systems, including those intended for households, are two important directions for strengthening energy efficiency and resilience. NCSE already has mechanisms in place that would make it possible to turn potential funding into tangible benefits for citizens – lower energy consumption and household expenditure, as well as better conditions for integrating renewable energy sources into the energy system,” said Ion Muntean.

Norway’s support could contribute to the continuation of projects in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy, bringing benefits to households, companies, and the energy sector of the Republic of Moldova as a whole.