This is reported by the National Center for Sustainable Energy (CNED).
Impressive growth
In the first two months of 2026, 42.44 MW of new renewable energy capacity was installed. By the end of 2025, the total installed capacity reached 980.98 MW, 444.02 MW more than by the end of 2024, when it was approximately 580 MW. Thus, an increase of approximately 69% in total installed capacity was recorded in one year.
The dynamics of the sector are impressive, with installed capacity increasing 13.23 times in the last five years. Compared to 2020, when the total installed capacity was only 77.37 MW, there is an increase of 946.05 MW, with 2025 playing a decisive role in this evolution.
Photovoltaics remains the most widespread technology with an installed capacity of 747 MW, representing 73% of the total RES capacity. It is followed by wind power, reaching 252.52 MW (25%). Hydropower and biogas capacity is 16.75 MW (1%) and 7.16 MW (1%), respectively.
Investors can choose a mechanism that is convenient for them
This evolution has been driven by both public policy influences and market dynamics. State-regulated support mechanisms facilitated the active participation of 9,049 electricity producing consumers at the end of February 2026, including 5,051 participants in the net metering mechanism and 3,998 participants in the net billing mechanism. They contributed to the installation of 202.34 MW of capacity, representing 20% of the total installed renewable energy capacity.
At the same time, 157.34 MW (15%) of capacity was installed under the fixed tariff support mechanism, 33.24 MW (3%) under the provisions of renewable energy legislation, and 60 MW (6%) through the fixed price mechanism. In total, the support mechanisms facilitated the installation of 452.92 MW, representing 44% of the total existing capacity.
A significant part of the capacity installed in the free market is 570.50 MW (56%), of which 328.71 MW is PV, 225.29 MW is wind power and 16.50 MW is hydropower. This fact confirms that energy production from renewable sources is a viable and attractive economic activity for investors.
An important moment in the development of the sector is the organization of the first auctions for renewable energy capacity in 2025, which implements a fixed price support mechanism. Thanks to this mechanism, 60 MW of photovoltaic capacity has already been installed, being part of the first auction launched for the development of wind and photovoltaic power plants.
The results obtained are in line with national targets and international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy sustainability. The accelerated development of renewable energy production capacities contributes to diversifying energy sources, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening Moldova’s energy security.
Lack of baseload generation remains a challenge
However, for renewable energy to be involved in the domestic energy system, it must be supported by baseload generation from conventional sources (e.g. gas-fired power plants) in amounts of approximately 25% of the installed RES capacity.
Unfortunately, in Moldova nothing is done in this direction, despite numerous proposals of serious investors to build balancing power plants of base generation.
Even before 2025, the Ministry of Energy reported that new facilities with an approximate capacity of 94 MW and energy storage systems (BESS) were planned to ensure grid stability. However, these promises remained on paper.
Moreover, with the end of the current heating season, the balancing capacities of CHP plants, which generate electricity in the range of 200 MW in addition to heat, will be excluded from the calculation.
As a result, so far Moldova has been buying balancing electricity from Romania at rather high prices. And with the onset of warm weather, these purchases will only increase.
Therefore, there is no reason to expect that renewable energy sources will be able to save Moldova from blackout in case of a new damage of the Vulcanesti-Isaccea line.
