QAZAQ GREEN.  The Government of Moldova has approved measures to simplify and digitalize permitting procedures for renewable energy projects, along with new rules aimed at developing the biofuels market.

Procedures required for the construction, operation and modernization of renewable energy facilities are to be integrated into the government’s single EVO portal. Applications will be submitted online, while applicants will be able to track the status of their cases.

Maximum permitting timelines will also be introduced. Depending on the type of project, they will range from 24 months for large power plants to one month for photovoltaic installations of up to 100 kW installed by prosumers and small-capacity heat pumps.

Moldova will also designate renewable energy acceleration zones — areas identified by the government as suitable for renewable energy development. Projects in these zones will benefit from simplified and faster permitting procedures, facilitated access to grid infrastructure and land-use arrangements.

The rules governing payments for surplus electricity generated by prosumers and fed into the grid will also change. For new installations, payments will be calculated based on the market price of electricity. Existing prosumer installations will continue to operate under the current rules until the end of 2027.

New measures will also apply to the biofuels market. Moldova plans to establish a register for recording biofuel transactions and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

Importers and wholesale traders of gasoline and diesel will be required to ensure a minimum share of biofuels. Annual quotas through 2030 will be set by the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE). After the law enters into force, ANRE will have six months to develop a methodology for calculating individual quotas for importers. The quotas will become mandatory once the methodology is approved.

The measures are intended to align Moldova’s legislation with European standards and support the country’s target of having at least 27% of final energy consumption come from renewable sources by 2030.