After top-ranking reform performance in 2025, Moldova enters 2026 with strong momentum toward EU energy integration

As Moldova moves closer to electricity market integration, strengthening security of electricity supply and carbon pricing are a key priorities for 2026

During a February 19 visit to Moldova, Energy Community Secretariat Director Artur Lorkowski addressed the Moldovan Parliament. In 2025, for the second consecutive year, Moldova ranked as the top performer in Energy Community reforms supporting EU energy market integration, he highlighted, while outlining priority reform steps for 2026. 

Progress is particularly evident in the gas sector, which has diversified significantly following the 2021–2022 supply shocks that exposed the risks of reliance on a single supplier. In April 2026, opening the gas market to large consumers — representing more than 50% of national demand — is expected to boost competition while maintaining safeguards for vulnerable consumers. Competitive pricing will also be supported by fully operationalising reverse flow on the Trans-Balkan Pipeline. The Energy Community Secretariat and the European Commission, together with concerned countries, are working to enhance the pipeline’s commercial attractiveness so it can increase gas flows to the region ahead of  the next heating season.  

In the electricity sector, Moldova reached a key milestone in 2025 by fully transposing the Electricity Integration Package. This paves the way for coupling with the EU’s internal electricity market, even before accession, pending European Commission verification expected to begin this year. A nationwide blackout in January 2026 exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s electricity security of supply, underscoring the urgency of advancing market coupling to unlock increased electricity flows from the EU. Further strengthening security of supply will require advancing planned cross-border infrastructure projects, particularly with Romania. Facilitating access to monthly electricity auctions with EU partners, alongside improving liquidity in Moldova’s day-ahead and intraday markets — short-term markets where electricity is traded close to delivery — would also help secure more reliable and affordable electricity. 

Well-functioning short-term markets are moreover essential for investor confidence and market-based renewable energy deployment, key to the Contracting Party's decarbonisation commitments. Moldova has progressed towards meeting these commitments, demonstrated by the successful launch of its second renewable energy auctions in December 2025. Establishing a carbon pricing mechanism aligned with the EU Emissions Trading System would further strengthen these efforts by reinforcing price signals that make clean energy more competitive, Lorkowski stressed. Carbon pricing is becoming increasingly important as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism began introducing carbon-related costs on Moldova’s electricity exports to the European Union beginning this January. Aligning carbon pricing with the EU ETS would help Moldova reduce exposure to CBAM costs and move toward potential recognition as an equivalent carbon pricing system by the EU.