The Energy Transparency Index of the Republic of Moldova in 2020 is insufficient. The shortcomings in the field are related to the incomplete monthly statistics, lack of reports on the implementation of network development plans or excessive concentration of the market in the natural gas sector, shows the report on the Energy Transparency Index of Moldova by energy balance, natural monopolies, supply, reliability and safety that was presented by energy expert Victor Parlicov.
In a news conference at IPN, Victor Parlicov, speaking about the four mentioned categories, highlighted several good practices, such as the publication of compliance plans and network development plans and approval of action plans for emergencies.
Victor Parlicov said the 115 selected indexes were classified into eight categories. The information was collected in August – October 2020. The study reflects the situation regarding transparency, accessibility of information, the state of affairs in the energy sector. “The analysis was conducted only based on publicly available data. The goal was to see how much information of the whole volume that should be made public in a functional market is available in our country and to compare the situation with that in other countries of the region,” stated the expert.
The report contains also a comparative analysis of three countries. In Georgia, the Energy Transparency Index is at 56, in Moldova at 53, while in Ukraine at 60. Moldova has the worst result in reporting, but the score of the other groups of indicators can be easily repaired. “I assure you that we have collected information on most of the requirements existing in international documents, but this information is not reported fully. With a minimum effort, we can improve several elements that would significantly raise our average score. The second element that determines our lower position compared with other states is the non-liberalization of the wholesale and retail market, especially of natural gas and electrical energy, in the absence of a market operator and a functional market model,” explained the expert.
Energy expert Sergiu Tofilat, of WatchDog.md community, said the study is a regional one and focuses on transparency in the energy sector of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia. “It is a useful instrument for consumers who want to learn about the developments in the energy sector and who need access to information, for investors that want to enter a market and want to analyze the potential, see the rivals and also for regulators for seeing to what extent the operators obey the information disclosure conditions,” he stated.
Referring to four categories of indicators (consumption, reporting, public policies and public authorities), Sergiu Tofilat said there are a number of faults, such as the lack of information about metering, non-publication of budgetary programs and implementation reports or non-assessment of the efficiency of regulation policies. Among good practices, the expert noted the fact that the connection to the network is permitted only on the installation of the meter, approval of the energy efficiency indicators and publication of projects, regulation documents for public consultations.
The report was compiled with support from the EU and the National Endowment for Democracy.
