Electricity in Moldova in 2023

As of 2023, Moldova's electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with 5.32 TWh coming from fossil energy and 5.12 TWh specifically from gas. In comparison, the country's generation from clean sources like hydro and wind is almost negligible. This reliance on fossil fuels results in a significant environmental footprint, contributing to both climate change and air pollution. On a per capita basis, Moldova's electricity consumption is well below the global average of 432 watts per person, which has serious implications. Low levels of electricity generation can restrict economic development, limit access to modern amenities, and affect overall quality of life.

Suggestions

To address the need for increased low-carbon electricity, Moldova can look to countries that have successfully transitioned to clean energy. For instance, Germany generated 137 TWh from wind power, while Italy and Poland are leading examples of efficient solar utilization, generating 31 TWh and 12 TWh, respectively. Moldova can invest in wind farms by studying the approach of countries like Brazil and Ukraine, which produced 96 TWh and 62 TWh, respectively. Additionally, nuclear energy presents a promising avenue for stable and large-scale electricity generation, as seen in France (336 TWh) and Sweden (48 TWh). These examples demonstrate the importance of government policy, technological investments, and public-private partnerships in achieving a green electricity grid.

History

Examining Moldova's historical data, the development of low-carbon electricity has been sporadic and minimal. Throughout the early 1990s, hydroelectric power varied slightly with marginal increases and decreases. Significant activity is observed only in recent years: in 2022, wind energy saw an increment of 0.1 TWh, followed by a consistent contribution in 2023. Similarly, hydroelectric power saw slight growth in 2010 and 2023. This historical inconsistency underscores the necessity for Moldova to adopt a more aggressive and sustained approach to developing its low-carbon infrastructure. Strengthening policy frameworks and investing in new technologies will be crucial for integrating more clean energy into the country's electricity mix.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources