Info Line
08001 0008
The Director of National Energy Regulatory Agency, Octavian CALMÂC, met with the representatives of the US Department of Commerce (Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), the US Embassy in the Republic of Moldova and the USAID.
The purpose of this meeting was to identify the priority areas that need technical assistance and support from CLDP and USAID. The support offered to ANRE could focus on improving the regulatory framework in the energy sector, streamlining the work processes of the regulated sectors, training ANRE staff in various areas, enhancing the communication with businesses, households and non-households, etc.
The Director, Octavian CALMÂC provided an introduction to ANRE’s activities and a brief update on the progresses made in implementing the international commitments, best European practices in regulating the natural gas, electricity and renewables, as well as the implementation of the European Union's Third Energy Package.
The participants discussed also about the process of approving the Action Plan on separation of the transmission system operator (TSO) S.R.L. "Moldovatransgaz", the alternative sources of natural gas (in particular, the construction of Iași-Chisinau gas pipeline) and the gas reverse flow from Romania on the trans-Balkan corridor. The joint delegation from US appreciated ANRE’s efforts in adopting this Plan on February 28, 2020 as well as the progress made in managing the natural gas crisis during the winter of 2020.
The latest developments on the electricity market was also a subject of discussions. The Director of ANRE noted that the draft of Electricity Market Rules is currently open for public consultation and that its approval and implementation will allow the electricity market to function according to the principles of EU markets. The participants discussed the Moldovan electricity market structure and possible solution to ensure that necessary volumes of energy are provided to consumers and businesses. The participants discussed the process of acquisition of electricity, the current sources of supply, and the measures taken to interconnect the electricity system of the Republic of Moldova and Romania, which is a part of ENTSO-E. The US delegation showed interest in offering the necessary assistance to develop and streamline the national legal framework designed for a free electricity market.
The role of ANRE in promoting the production of electricity from renewables was also discussed during meeting. The Director provided a brief summary on recent ANRE’s approval of fixed tariffs and ceiling prices for electricity produced from renewable sources.
The US Delegation mentioned that it was open and willing to provide technical assistance to ANRE in the process of drafting and finalizing regulatory acts, strengthening ANRE’s institutional capacities, and developing free and competitive energy markets for natural gas and electricity, based on international practices.
