Funding received for last phase of Moldova’s smart meter pilot
Image: ANRE
Moldova’s smart meter pilot rollout is to benefit from funding from Italy via UNDP Moldova to enable deployment of an additional 25,000 units during 2026.
The first batch of 3,000 smart meters, funded by UNDP, was installed in 2023 for consumers in the capital Chișinău and the northern region of the country, including Bălți, the country’s second largest city.
Another batch of 14,000 smart meters are due for installation starting in February in the north and centre-south distribution zones.
A further batch is expected to be available in August to bring the number up to 35,000 units installed by the end of 2025 funded by Italy.
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“We value Italy’s additional contribution to UNDP Moldova, which will strengthen our ongoing efforts to digitalise the energy sector, offering greater predictability for consumers and improving sector governance,” said Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP resident representative in Moldova.
Commenting that at the same time providing support for vulnerable households to gain better access to essential energy and social protection services, she added: “These efforts will support the Moldovan government in managing and sustaining digital innovations, enhancing the resilience and efficiency of Moldova’s energy and social protection systems.”
The funding for the smart meters forms part of a €10 million ($10.4 million) allocation to enhance energy resilience including promoting energy efficiency and the digitalisation of the energy sector as well as supporting social protection reform in Moldova.
It follows an earlier €10 million allocated in November 2023.
As part of the project the government intends to establish a unified national registry of consumption points to streamline data management in the energy sector and facilitate data exchange between suppliers, distributors and consumers.
This registry is considered a crucial step in digitalising the sector, improving energy efficiency, enhancing grid security and enabling real-time data monitoring to inform decisions on tariffs and consumption patterns.
It should also help Moldova align with EU energy regulations and promote sustainable energy consumption, including gender-sensitive solutions and flexible pricing options for consumers, according to a statement.
On 3 January the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) approved the decision to enable the offer of differentiated day and night time tariffs for electricity as a step towards reducing peak consumption.
