The plan is a strategic document necessary to ensure energy security, integrate renewable sources, optimize electricity flows and strengthen the interconnection capacity of the domestic grid with the Romanian and Ukrainian grid. The network is expected to be in line with European energy policy objectives.
Experts note that the infrastructure is aging: many transformers and overhead lines have reached or exceeded their service life. Efforts to modernize it, including those undertaken with the support of Moldova’s development partners, have been insufficient. The pace of infrastructure replacement needs to be accelerated to avoid system reliability problems. A key challenge in this is the lack of sufficient system reserves. There is a need to increase generation flexibility and grid reinforcement to adapt to the growth in electricity consumption and to increase the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the energy mix.
The transition of Moldova’s electricity sector to a liberalized market is associated with numerous challenges, especially with regard to the integration of RES into the energy system. To ensure reliability and security of electricity supply, the integration of variable RES, especially wind and solar, requires extensive use of advanced generation forecasting techniques and increased system flexibility to overcome grid outages. The example of the recent blackout in Spain is very telling.
To identify the necessary transport infrastructure projects to be implemented in the next 10 years, three electricity sector scenarios (baseline, moderate and ambitious) were analyzed with different projections for electricity consumption and load, integrated variable RES capacity and gas price developments. The reduction of electricity generation capacity in Ukraine and the growth of electricity transit between Ukraine and Romania were also taken into account.
In this context, it is important to increase the interconnection capacity and RES integration to ensure the adequacy of the power system. Although the Moldovan grid operates efficiently in most scenarios, there are concerns about generation sources due to the unavailability of generation capacity in Ukraine. That is, the grid infrastructure needs to be strengthened to ensure energy security and meet future energy needs.
Based on the results of the cost-benefit analysis, three key projects are proposed to be prioritized: construction of 400 kV overhead transmission lines (OPL) Vulkanesti-Smyrdan (Romania) and 400 kV Vulkanesti-Artsiz (Ukraine); construction of 400 kV Vulkanesti-Smyrdan and 110 kV Vulkanesti-Bolgrad (Ukraine); and installation of a phase-shifting transformer on the Vulkanesti-Isakcea line (Romania). The choice of the project to be implemented depends on agreements with transmission system operators in neighboring countries.
Energy Minister Dorin Jungietu said that with this Plan, a modern, reliable and compatible transmission network should be built, capable of meeting the needs of the energy market in the next decade. This is a concrete step towards strengthening Moldova’s energy security and towards full integration into the European electricity market.
Until 2022, the energy system of RM functioned as part of the Unified Energy System (UES)/Unified Energy System (UES), which was not synchronized with the energy system of continental Europe. Since February 24, 2022, the energy systems of Ukraine and Moldova have been disconnected from the UES/UES. And on March 16, 2022, Moldelectrica, Ukrenergo and transmission system operators of continental Europe performed emergency synchronization of the energy systems of Moldova and Ukraine with the energy system of continental Europe (ENTSO-E).
Moldelectrica’s long-term goal is to become a key player in the regional electricity market within the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO-E).
In 2024, electricity flows in Moldelectrica’s transmission system will amount to 4.4 million MWh and in 2023 to 4.2 million MWh. The highest over the last 10 years was in 2014. – 5.4 million MWh.
