The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) increases its assistance designed to strengthen the energy security of the Republic of Moldova. The financing for the USAID Moldova Energy Security Activity (MESA) was supplemented with US$42 million to help Moldova cope with the challenges this winter and realize its energy potential. Also, technological solutions and equipment will be purchased to increase the country’s energy sustainability in the long run, to attract investment and to increase renewable energy integration, IPN reports.
Attending the event, U.S. Ambassador to Moldova Kent D. Logsdon said the additional financing through the MESA will help the energy sector to deal with the current challenges and to facilitate the development of a clean and safe energy sector. “Combined with the U.S.’s initial investment of US$17 million provided in March, MESA will now mobilize about US$60 million to promote an independent, sustainable and clean energy sector,” stated the diplomat.
According to him, the Republic of Moldova faces serious energy challenges because it had been dependent on Russian natural gas during 30 years. “To counteract this challenge, the U.S. works together with the Government of the Republic of Moldova on a common view to resolve the immediate energy crisis experienced by the Moldovans at present, to help to create sustainable energy security based on diversified sources and to ensure transition to a future with clean energy,” stated Kent D. Logsdon.
In the same event, Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, said that until recently the Republic of Moldova was dependent on one natural gas supply source and the whole electricity and heat delivered in a centralized way was produced with gas provided by Gazprom. But the situation in the energy sector has now changed, including with the support of the partners. “The energy system has definitely changed. I’m sure that Moldova will not repeat the mistakes made the last 30 years – not to invest sufficiently and not to reform the system sufficiently. I’m very optimistic that in a year we will not necessarily ensure the biggest progress, but will be among the leaders that implemented the European and international standards on the energy markets, at least in the energy community,” stated Andrei Spînu.
USAID Moldova Mission Director Scott Hocklander noted that during the years of partnership with the Republic of Moldova, USAID supported over 130 strategic projects, investing about US$650 million. The MESA project comes to strengthen the partnership with USAID, especially because it goes to the energy sector, which is a critical area.
MESA director Armen Arzumanyan said the announced additional investment started to be used and the project’s team already designs solutions and opportunities for a cleaner, more sustainable and safer energy sector. “We work hand in hand with the partners here to enable to realize the energy potential of the Republic of Moldova,” stated Armen Arzumanyan.
