Moldova intensifies efforts to certify Moldelectrica, its TSO for electricity

Following the Secretariat’s Opinion on the certification of the electricity transmission system operator Moldelectrica, representatives of the Moldovan regulator (ANRE) and Moldelectrica met experts from the Secretariat to discuss options for unbundling. The workshop in Chisinau was organized under EU4Energy. Despite some remaining obstacles in the national legislation, all participants agreed that the unbundling of Moldelectrica must be regarded a top priority for the Moldovan energy sector. ANRE is aiming to initiate the certification still in the first quarter of 2020.

Moldelectrica applied for certification under the ownership unbundling model on 16 October 2018. On 11 June 2019, ANRE concluded that Moldelectrica complies with the requirements of ownership unbundling. The Secretariat analyzed ANRE’s decision and concluded that the request for certification could not be granted for two reasons: Moldelectrica did not own the transmission assets or exercise rights equivalent to an owner over the transmission assets; and Moldelectrica was directly controlled by persons active in production or supply of natural gas and electricity. Following the Secretariat’s Opinion, Moldelectrica withdrew its request for certification on 22 October 2019.