All of these issues make it a major challenge to keep networks up and running and make the need for large-scale investment in transmission infrastructure critical.
These issues were discussed at a workshop at the Ministry of Energy with the participation of distribution and transmission network operators and the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE).
Priority tasks
Three priority topics were raised during the discussions: the situation regarding the availability of connection permits, the development of the electricity grid in the context of the integration of renewable energy generation capacity and battery-based energy storage systems (BES), and the need to update the Report on Compliance with the Protection Zones of Electricity Grids.
The participants emphasized that the Republic of Moldova is at an advanced stage of energy transition and the existing infrastructure should be promptly adapted to the new realities.
In this context, Energy Minister Dorin Jungietu reiterated that the available financial resources, including from investment programs related to Moldova’s Growth Plan, should be prioritized to modernize and expand the power grids, in order to ensure a safe and efficient integration of renewable energy sources, as well as to avoid critical situations, such as the partial blackout of January 31 this year.
Distribution system operators presented the situation of renewable energy connections. RED Nord reported that permits have been issued for 286 MW of renewable energy capacity, including about 13 MW of energy storage projects.
Other energy storage systems with a total capacity of 60 MW are planned to be commissioned in the near future in Premier Energy’s service area.
Investment in the grid is needed
In the context of worn-out and overloaded grids, the need to develop a common strategy for the development of electricity transmission grids in the southern region in cooperation with the Ukrainian transmission operator Ukrenergo was emphasized, including by aligning planning with the European TYNDP (Ten-Year Network Development Plan) document.
Premier Energy representatives emphasized the need to revise the regulatory framework to stimulate investment in distribution networks, including by adjusting tariff methodology and introducing accelerated depreciation mechanisms. In Chisinau, the networks are already overloaded, requiring the creation of a new connection point to the 330 kV network, as well as updating the network topology and implementing sectional solutions to improve system resilience.
The Energy Ministry emphasized that the development of power grids is a prerequisite for continuing investments in renewable energy sources and ensuring the country’s energy security. In this regard, the dialog with ANRE and system operators will be intensified in order to accelerate investments and remove existing obstacles in the connection process.econo
