Moldova Approves New Rules for Renewable Energy Market

The government has approved new rules for the renewable energy market

The process for approving renewable energy projects will be streamlined and digitised via a single portal. At the same time, new rules for the development of the biofuel market will be introduced.

Dorin Junghietu

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These measures were approved by the government today.

The procedures required for the construction, operation or modernisation of power stations running on renewable energy sources will be integrated into the government’s EVO portal. Applications will be submitted online, and applicants will be able to track the status of their documents. At the same time, maximum approval timeframes are being set: from 24 months for large power stations to one month for photovoltaic panels with a capacity of up to 100 kW installed by self-generators, and low-capacity heat pumps.

So-called ‘acceleration zones’ will also be established — regions designated by the government as suitable for the development of renewable energy projects, where these will be approved more easily and within shorter timeframes, and will also benefit from a simplified regime regarding grid infrastructure and land-use rights.

The method of payment for surplus energy generated by prosumers and fed into the grid is also changing. For new installations, payment will be calculated based on the market price of energy. For prosumers who already have installations, the current rules will remain in force until the end of 2027.

Changes to biofuel regulations

A biofuel register will be established to record transactions and greenhouse gas emissions. Importers and wholesalers of petrol and diesel will be required to meet a minimum biofuel quota, set annually by the National Energy Regulatory Agency until 2030. Once the law comes into force, the National Energy Regulatory Agency will, within six months, develop a methodology for calculating individual quotas for importers. Once approved, these quotas will become mandatory.

The new provisions help to bring Moldovan legislation into line with European standards and to achieve the target that, by 2030, at least 27 per cent of final energy consumption must come from renewable sources.

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