The Moldovan parliament has passed in the first reading a bill proposed by the Energy Ministry on the creation of an energy exchange in the country. Minister Victor Parlicov said that this exchange could start operating as early as 2024, as reported by Europa Libera.
The main provisions of the law, presented by Parlicov to MPs, are related to the implementation of European mechanisms by the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), which would make the electricity market more transparent and integrated.
The minister also said that the new law would help create an organised energy market in the country.
“We aim to have our energy exchange and the first transactions through it in 2024. This will make it possible to trade energy resources at differentiated prices every hour,” Parlicov emphasised.
Chisinau has already discussed the possibility of co-operating with the Romanian electricity and gas market operator OPCOM, in order to become an operator in the Moldovan market as well. The energy minister said that ANRE should quickly master the control of the market and intervene if necessary.
“The creation of an exchange and an organised energy market is the first step towards the introduction of differentiated prices for consumers. Without these prices, consumers will not be able to feel the changes,” Parlikov explained.
The minister also emphasised that the changes will not be immediately noticeable for ordinary consumers. However, large industrial consumers will be able to choose between different tariff plans.
Household consumers who wish to switch to a supplier with differentiated prices will require the installation of special equipment for hourly payment.
“We have to start developing these options,” the minister concluded.
