Electricity in Moldova in 2024
In 2024, electricity consumption in Moldova is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, with more than 70% of its electricity generation coming from these sources, of which gas makes up almost two-thirds. Clean energy, encompassing low-carbon sources such as hydropower, wind, and solar, constitutes about 9% of Moldova's electricity consumption, while net imports account for nearly 20%. Hydropower contributes approximately 4%, wind energy is responsible for a bit more than 3%, and solar energy hovers around the 2% mark. Despite these small steps towards clean energy, the heavy dependence on fossil fuels raises concerns about the sustainability and environmental impact of Moldova's energy mix.
Is Electricity Growing in Moldova?
Moldova's electricity consumption, currently standing at 2161 kWh per person, has seen a notable decline from the historic levels of 1990, which were recorded at 3644 kWh per person. This represents a reduction of 1483 kWh per person. Similarly, there is a slight decrease in low-carbon electricity consumption compared to 2023, dropping by 1 kWh per person. These changes highlight a concerning trend of stagnation in both overall and clean electricity usage, pointing to a need for strategic efforts to bolster electricity generation, particularly from low-carbon sources, to meet future energy demands and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Suggestions
Moldova can enhance its low-carbon electricity generation by looking towards successful regions that have made significant progress in this area. For instance, France and Slovakia have achieved substantial shares of nuclear energy, covering 68% and 62% of their electricity needs respectively. Both countries exemplify how nuclear can be a cornerstone of a clean energy strategy. On the other hand, regions like Iowa and South Dakota harness wind energy to generate over 60% of their electricity, illustrating the potential of wind as a viable energy source. Additionally, countries like Lebanon and Greece generate over 20% of their electricity from solar, underscoring the potential of solar power. Taking cues from these success stories, Moldova could focus on expanding its solar and nuclear energy capacities, fostering a cleaner and more sustainable electricity network.
History
Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Moldova, there have been notable fluctuations over the decades. In the early 1990s, hydropower experienced slight ups and downs, with little change until the early 2010s, when it saw a modest increase followed by minor declines. More recently, from 2022 onwards, Moldova introduced wind and solar energy into its electricity mix. However, the overall changes have been marginal, with the most recent figures for 2024 showing a decrease in hydropower and a slight increase in solar energy generation. Despite these efforts, Moldova's progress in expanding low-carbon electricity has been limited, indicating the urgency for more significant and consistent development, particularly in solar and nuclear, to ensure an energy-secure and environmentally friendly future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.