Moldova achieved results in reforming the energy sector, but these results should be strengthened, said participants in the event held to mark the completion of the technical assistance project for implementing the Sector Policy Support Program – Support to Reform of the Energy Sector (TA-SPSP).

According to Deputy Minister of Economy Tudor Copaci, the major goal of the project was to support the Government and the Ministry of Economy as well as the local institutions to increase the security of the energy supply, to improve energy efficiency and to promote the use of renewable sources of energy and co-generation.

“These reforms were possible owing to the €40 million provided by the EU in budget support. During three years, the Greek consortium EXERGIA SA daily provided assistance to the Ministry of Economy and the local institutions in doing reforms in the energy sector and Moldova achieved almost all the set objectives. Within the three tranches, Moldova received 90% of the funds promised by the EU. Moreover, the funds were raised by €10 million,” he stated.

Mariana Botezatu, division head at the Ministry of Economy, said that within the project the energy policy documents were updated, a bill on the promotion of the use of renewable sources of energy was drafted, models for describing projects were worked out and transparent methodologies for assessing the presented projects were designed.

“Our goal was to establish the legal basis needed to do reforms in the energy sector, to carry out fact-finding studies and to strengthen the capacities of the institutions working in this field. The challenge for the future is to implement these reforms. The EU experience shows that this is a difficult objective. It is a common effort where each institution has responsibilities and they should show political will to continue to reform the energy sector,” said George Georgocostas, AT-PSPS team leader.