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Over the years the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) has established a solid cooperation with international associations, European institutions and regulatory authorities. The cooperation with external partners plays a crucial role in developing the national energy market and harmonizing the Moldovan regulatory framework with European Union’s acquis.
In May 2010, Republic of Moldova acceded to the Energy Community Treaty as a Contracting Party. The country became a full-fledged member of Energy Community with ANRE becoming a full member of the Energy Community Regulatory Board (ECRB). The Energy Community is an international organization which brings together the European Union and its neighbors to create an integrated pan-European energy market. The objective of the Energy Community is to extend the EU internal energy market rules and principles to countries in South East Europe, the Black Sea region and beyond on the basis of a legally binding framework. The members commit to implement relevant EU energy acquis communautaire, to develop a sound regulatory framework and to liberalize their energy markets in line with the acquis under the founding Treaty.
As a regulatory authority, ANRE is involved in many ECRB activities and participates in the following working groups:
In 2017, ANRE signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Energy Community Secretariat (ECS). The parties have agreed to cooperate in the process of drafting secondary legislative acts according to Energy Community acquis, within set deadlines. According to the Memorandum the ECS provides technical assistance (to the extent possible) in drafting the normative regulatory documents.
In 2000, ANRE became a founding member of the Regional Association of Energy Regulators (ERRA). ERRA is an inter-institutional non-profit organization unified by the shared goal of its regulatory members to improve energy regulation. ERRA's focus is to bring together effective energy regulators from different regions and continents with the necessary autonomy and authority to make positive change. Over the years ANRE participates at various trainings and capacity-building programs organized by ERRA. ANRE representatives participate in permanent committees and working groups, including the Licensing and Competition Committee, the Tariffs Committee, the Consumer Protection Group, and the Retail Energy Markets Working Group.
ANRE cooperates closely with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). The partnership with NARUC operates under the auspices of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Over the years, NARUC has provided technical assistance in drafting normative acts, methodologies and regulations for the electricity and natural gas markets. The cooperation is also based on several regional platforms: the Black Sea Regulatory Initiative (BSRI), the Gas Partnership Workshop for Europe and Eurasia, and the Cybersecurity Working Group. In 2023 and 2024, NARUC teamed up with ANRE Romania to provide ANRE Moldova with enhanced trainings on electricity market coupling, implementation of EU regulations, electricity and gas market monitoring, REMIT, cross-border capacity allocation, etc.
In 2010, ANRE began a collaboration with the Missouri Public Service Commission. During this collaboration the Commission donated and helped implement the Electronic Information System for Correspondence Registration (SEIIC) at ANRE, in order to improve interaction with consumers.
Since 2022, ANRE works closely with experts from the USAID Moldova Energy Security Activity (MESA) to help strengthen and diversify Republic of Moldova’s energy sector and build long-term energy security. The experts from MESA provide technical assistance in drafting methodologies and regulatory acts. MESA also organizes trainings on gender equality, providing recommendations for internal policies related to the promotion of greater female participation in the energy sector.
In 2016, ANRE obtained observer status at the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER). Each year, CEER provides various trainings and organizes events regarding best regulatory practices that are meant to improve the functioning of the regulated markets, contributing to the harmonization of national legislation to European directives.
ANRE is also a member of Water Regulators Authorities (WAREG). ANRE specialists attend various WAREG events related to the implementation of the best regulatory practices for public water supply and wastewater services.
2. International Cooperation Agreements
In February 2013, ANRE signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Competition Authority of Estonia. The aim of the Agreement is to exchange knowledge and best regulatory practices in the energy sector.
In September 2013, NARUC and USAID, initiated a partnership between ANRE and Maine Public Utilities Commission (USA).
In October 2014, ANRE signed a Cooperation Protocol with ANRE Romania to exchange knowledge in developing the necessary normative acts to regulate the electricity and natural gas markets while ensuring the principles of efficiency, transparency and competition.
In May 2016, ANRE concluded a cooperation and partnership protocol with the National Regulatory Authority for Community Public Utility Services of Romania (ANRSC). The cooperation mechanisms include online consultations, annual meetings, assistance in drafting normative acts, etc.
In September 2019, ANRE Moldova signed a Cooperation and Assistance Program with ANRE of Romania to intensify bilateral cooperation. The program includes an exchange of experience and knowledge for a wide range of subjects and activities, including: regulatory practices, licensing and monitoring activities, consumer protection, energy supervision, institutional communication, Information technology (IT), cybersecurity, etc. Every year, both regulatory authorities sign a new Action Plan outlining a set of priorities related to the development of normative acts and methodologies in the regulated sectors, and other regulatory challenges that need to be solved.
In 2023, ANRE signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission of Ukraine (NEURC) with the aim of establishing and developing a partnership in energy market regulation and strengthen the inter-institutional relationships. The parties are committed to develop an efficient communication to be able to take quick and prompt decisions that would facilitate the development and implementation of the regulatory framework and encourage cooperation among market participants from both countries.
In 2023, ANRE signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (GNERC), setting a direct dialogue to discuss bilateral and regional regulatory issues. The institutions will organize various events to exchange their regulatory expertise.
3. National Cooperation Agreements
ANRE is in close cooperation with the main development partners of the Republic of Moldova, namely: the Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of Moldova, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the World Bank (WB), the Romanian Embassy, the US Embassy, and other embassies.