Electricity in Moldova in 2024

In Moldova, the current state of electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. More than 85% of the nation's electricity generation is derived from fossil energy, specifically gas, accounting for about 87% of the total. Net imports contribute just under 7% to Moldova's electricity needs, showing some dependency on neighboring countries for energy supply. In terms of clean energy, only a small fraction comes from low-carbon sources such as hydropower and wind. Hydropower contributes roughly 4%, while wind energy accounts for just over 1%. This distribution indicates that Moldova has a significant opportunity to reduce its carbon footprint by transitioning towards more low-carbon electricity sources.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Moldova can draw lessons from countries with a strong emphasis on clean energy. Slovakia and Ukraine, with about 60% and 55% of their electricity generated from nuclear power respectively, demonstrate the feasibility of expanding nuclear energy even in countries with economic profiles similar to Moldova. Additionally, Lithuania and Ireland, with about a third of their electricity produced from wind energy, emphasize the potential benefits of harnessing wind energy. By investing in nuclear power plants and strengthening its wind energy infrastructure, Moldova can aim to significantly boost its low-carbon electricity generation, thus diminishing its reliance on fossil fuels and reducing its overall environmental impact.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Moldova reveals a stagnant and minimal change over the years. Through the 1990s and into the 2000s, hydropower generation experienced minor fluctuations, with incremental increases and decreases, such as a 0.1 TWh change almost every other year. There was a notable period of stability from 1995 to 2009 where no significant changes were recorded, indicating a lack of development in the sector during this time. In recent years, there have been modest enhancements, such as a minor increase in wind energy in 2022, but these advances are still negligible. Despite the slight growth of low-carbon sources like wind and hydro, the overall development has been insufficient to create a substantial impact, signaling an urgent need for Moldova to prioritize significant investments in its clean energy infrastructure for future sustainability.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources