New electricity tariffs in the Republic of Moldova. Effective January 1, 2024

The Administrative Council of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (NERA) at a meeting on December 22 approved new electricity tariffs for consumers.

Electricity tariffs will come into force on January 1, 2024. Thus, in the center and south of the country, electricity tariffs will be as follows:

• K. "Thermoelectricity". The price of electricity produced by Termoelectrica is 3.58 lei/kWh.
• K. "CET-North". The price for electricity produced by CET-Nord thermal power plants is 377 den./kWh (excluding VAT).
• U.K.S. "Premier Energy" S.R.L. According to the application, regulated prices for the supply of electricity by Premier Energy were approved, differentiated by demarcation points or places of consumption of end consumers.
• K. “Northern Electricity Supply”. Regulated prices for the supply of electricity from Furnizarea Energiei Electrice Nord have been approved, differentiated depending on the demarcation points or places of consumption of end consumers.

How much electricity does the Republic of Moldova consume?

In 2023, only 6% of electricity consumption will come from renewable energy sources. 54% of this is wind energy, 34% is photovoltaic energy and 6% each is hydropower and biogas-based energy. The last two are constant and reliable sources and do not depend on the vagaries of the weather. According to the Ministry of Energy, the largest unused capacity comes from biogas energy, MOLDPRES reports.

The Republic of Moldova has committed to increasing the share of electricity produced from renewable sources to at least 30% of annual electricity consumption in 2030.

In total, the Republic of Moldova annually consumes about 4 million MWh of electricity. Of this, almost 45% is consumed in households and only 15% in industry. This consumption pattern generates consumption peaks of about 700 MW in the morning and evening, when everyone is getting ready for the work day or returning home and connecting all the necessary devices. On the other hand, at night the consumption drops to 180 MW.

Thus, according to the Ministry of Energy, Moldova cannot integrate into the energy system more wind energy than the minimum consumption at night, and more solar energy than the maximum consumption during the day: “If we produce more green energy than we can consume, it will either will go to the network of Romania and either Ukraine for free, or Moldova will have to pay for the imbalance of the system. If less energy is produced than consumed, it will come from neighboring countries, but at an unplanned exchange price.”