This was the message of the Moldovan Ministry of Energy to the participants of a technical seminar held on April 28, dedicated to the presentation of trading opportunities on platforms managed by the Moldova Energy Market Operator (OPEM). The event was aimed at promoting the use of short-term organized markets – Day-Ahead Market (DAM) and Intraday Market (IDM).
Special attention was paid to the solutions proposed by the Ministry to facilitate the gradual transition from direct bilateral contracts, especially with renewable energy producers, to these transparent and competitive mechanisms. Participation in the DAM and PPZ allows producers to diversify their commercial portfolio, utilize the energy produced more efficiently and reduce the costs of imbalances, while ensuring a competitive and open environment for all participants.
What measures are proposed
In this context, the Ministry has presented an agreed set of measures aimed at improving liquidity and strengthening the formation of a sustainable reference price. These include the introduction of an obligation for Energocom, which has a security of supply obligation, to procure a certain share of the energy required on organized markets, and the extension of this obligation, from 2027 onwards, to other universal service providers and suppliers of last resort.
In parallel, the authorities propose the introduction of temporary market-making mechanisms and minimum bidding requirements, as well as the introduction of volatility management tools aimed at preventing excessive pricing. It was also emphasized the importance of speeding up the process of integration of the Moldovan market with the Romanian market within the framework of integration into the European energy market.
Compliance with these measures and monitoring of market participants’ behavior will be ensured by the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), which will strengthen its supervisory role to prevent market abuse and manipulation.
Remove structural constraints
In addition to measures aimed at increasing liquidity, the Ministry of Energy also presented solutions to overcome the structural constraints of the electricity system. These solutions aim to encourage investments in new generation capacity, especially from renewable sources, provided that they are developed in areas with consumption potential, such as industrial zones.
In addition, the need to develop storage capacity, improve energy efficiency to reduce the load on the system, and expand interconnections and optimize the use of transmission and distribution networks was discussed. At the same time, increasing system flexibility by developing balancing capacity, encouraging regulated consumption and introducing aggregation mechanisms remained a priority.
Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu emphasized that “low liquidity prevents the creation of reliable price signals, which affects both the efficiency of resource allocation and medium- and long-term investment decisions – for example, attracting investments in storage capacity”.
The Energy Minister noted that the state, through policies, encourages investment in storage, in this context, it is allowed to locate on agricultural land and imports are exempted from taxes. In addition, the new connection rules will clarify the charges for the loading/unloading process to avoid double taxation.
The Ministry also reiterated the importance of continuing institutional reforms, including the gradual adjustment of the public service obligations imposed on Energocom, in parallel with the identification of universal service providers and suppliers of last resort by July 8, 2026, through competitive procedures organized by ANRE.
In connection with the full liberalization of the market for large and medium-sized non-household consumers, scheduled for January 1, 2027, the authorities also consider it necessary to standardize commercial offers, including the introduction of fixed term and fixed price contracts, to ensure transparency and comparability.
The authorities emphasized that the development of a liquid, transparent and competitive wholesale market will bring concrete benefits to the entire electricity sector. Producers will be able to maximize the value of energy sold, suppliers will have access to clear and relevant price signals, and end-users will benefit from real competition and market prices.
