The Energy Ministers of the Republic of Moldova and Romania signed today a Memorandum of Understanding to Develop Partnerships and Promote Innovation in the Energy Sector. The Memorandum stipulates that the parties will make efforts to ensure a competitive and innovative environment in the energy sector and clean technologies, both in the Republic of Moldova and in Romania.

“Through this memorandum, we are adding another line of collaboration with Romania, this time in the innovation dimension. After adopting the law on the development of innovative solutions in the energy sector, known as the Sandbox, this memorandum would help create opportunities for financing innovative, technical and economic solutions, as well as new business models in the field of innovations in the energy sector. We are grateful to Romania for its continuous support in strengthening energy security, adapting the energy exchange to the European model, and of course, for all the transformations that bring us closer to the European market. These changes, which already significantly increase the comfort of consumers, would not be possible without the unprecedented support of our friends across the Prut River”, said Minister Victor Parlicov.

Victor Parlicov expressed gratitude to his counterpart for the constant support from Romania and underlined the commitment of the Republic of Moldova to continue connecting its energy system with the Romanian one and integrating into the European energy market, an objective set by the end of 2029.

“I would like to note that all energy projects between Romania and the Republic of Moldova are vital, it is also about the construction of energy interconnection lines, and about strengthening the gas transit capacity through the Iași-Ungheni gas pipeline, and now we want to collaborate in the field of innovations so that we can also connect the possibility of innovation. The Republic of Moldova can be considered a true example, from the perspective of innovation and digitalization. There is no better recipe for success than combining the opportunities of the energy sector with the innovation and start-ups side. This memorandum is not just an agreement, the document signed today creates the basis for start-up financing, including across the Prut River”, declared Sebastian Burduja, Minister of Energy of Romania.

The document signed today stipulates that the Republic of Moldova and Romania will collaborate to identify the needs of the industry at national and regional levels for green technologies, develop pilot programs and projects to support innovation in the field of green technologies, identify options to support investments in significant solutions to propel the clean technology industry and influence the energy sector at regional level, but also outline strategies based on best practices from Romania and the European Union, which have resulted in the financing of investments in the field of green energy.

In the context of the signing of the Memorandum, the parties agreed to make joint efforts to develop projects and initiatives that support innovation, especially for digital and smart solutions for Cleantech, advanced renewable energy, nuclear energy, a comprehensive ecosystem for green hydrogen, including the production of equipment specific to hydrogen production, investments in hydrogen transportation infrastructure, as well as refueling stations, as well as projects for energy storage, biomass production and the implementation of green and energy-efficient heating-cooling systems.