Natalia Gavrilița in Brussels: the Republic of Moldova relies on EU support to find accessible energy resources
The Republic of Moldova continues to make reforms in the energy field, to diversify its natural gas and electricity supply sources, but it still needs the support of the European Union to find affordable alternatives, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița said in Brussels at the meeting with the European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson.
"With the support of the EU and other external partners, the situation in the energy field has been stabilized. We provided the population with energy resources for this winter and began preparations for the next winter. We didn't just manage crises, we also made changes, and the Energy Community recognized that Moldova achieved, in the last year, the greatest progress among the candidate countries", said the PM, quoted in a press release issued by the Executive.
In particular, Natalia Gavrilița referred to the identification of financial instruments, including grants for the advancement of several projects that have dragged on for years: the construction of the high-voltage line Balti-Suceava, the increase in the amount of renewable energy produced in the country, but also the realization of a large energy efficiency program in public buildings and residential blocks.
"It is good that you have reduced your energy consumption this winter and it is important to prepare for the next cold season by increasing energy efficiency in the residential sector. The EU is interested in supporting these efforts," said the European Energy Commissioner.
According to the quoted source, the head of the Cabinet of Ministers thanked the European officials for the support given to the interconnection of the national electricity system to the European ENTSO-E network, as well as for the opportunity to participate in the Energy Platform. Also, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița expressed her gratitude to the community bloc for the budgetary support provided last year and for the last aid of 250 million euros - recently announced financial assistance for the energy sector - money that will go to replenish the Energy Vulnerability Fund, through which gas and electricity compensations are granted.
