New batch of over 14,400 smart meters for Moldova
Image: UNDP
A second batch of 14,400 smart meters along with the associated advanced metering infrastructure is due to start being deployed in Moldova in February.
The smart meters, which are being financed by the government of Italy through UNDP Moldova, extends a 3,000 smart meter pilot that was launched by Moldova’s energy ministry in 2023.
The smart meters will be delivered to the distribution operators, with Premier Energy Distribution due to install 9,085 smart meters for residential and commercial consumers within its central-southern network and RED Nord due to install 5,344 smart devices across its northern distribution area.
In addition to the meters, other AMI due to be installed includes data concentrators, servers, communication modules and other components critical for the automated transmission and processing of energy data.
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“Electrification of the energy sector is inevitable in the transition to a low carbon economy and smart grids play a crucial role in integrating intermittent energy sources while ensuring a stable supply. The smart metering project marks the first step towards the digital transformation of the energy sector,” stated Cristina Pereteatcu, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, in a statement.
“Beyond enabling real-time data readings, the liberalisation of the energy market will allow consumers to benefit from differentiated tariffs, giving them greater control over their electricity consumption. We are confident that the pilot project will deliver positive results, encouraging stakeholders in the energy sector to invest further in digitalisation.”
The pilot programme is aimed to create a resilient energy infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency, reduce energy dependency and align with European standards, according to the statement.
The data already collected in the pilot is being analysed and will be used to develop new informed policies and test differentiated tariffs.
The locations being targeted for installing the smart meters are being based on predefined algorithms considering criteria such as geographic location, population density, energy vulnerability levels, socio-economic status and the availability of existing technical infrastructure.
With ongoing rollout, by the end of 2025, a total of 35,000 smart meters are expected to be installed, representing 3% of Moldova’s 1.4 million electricity consumers.
The meter supplier has not been named but if the image is representative then it is the Moldova based ADD Grup.
