Electricity in Moldova in 2025
In 2025, Moldova's electricity landscape is heavily reliant on external sources, with net imports accounting for more than half of its total electricity consumption. Fossil fuels, predominantly gas, contribute to more than a third of the energy mix. On the low-carbon front, clean energy sources like hydropower, solar, and wind combined make up a modest figure of slightly over 10%. Specifically, hydropower represents around 5% of the energy consumption, solar energy contributes about 3%, and wind energy stands just over 2%. This marked dependency on fossil fuels and imports is concerning, especially in the context of the growing global emphasis on clean and self-reliant energy production.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, ENTSOE and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Moldova?
When examining the trajectory of Moldova's electricity consumption, there is a noticeable decrease compared to historical records. The latest data shows an average consumption of 1563 kWh per person, a significant drop from the 1990 record, which was more than twice as large. Additionally, the generation of low-carbon electricity has slightly declined from its peak in 2023, decreasing from 199 kWh per person to 172 kWh per person. This stagnation and decline in both overall and low-carbon electricity production are worrisome, as they indicate a shortfall in meeting the growing demand for clean energy driven by modern technological advancements.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Moldova could benefit from looking at successful regions that harness solar and nuclear power efficiently. For example, countries like Slovakia and France rely heavily on nuclear energy, with more than 60% of their electricity coming from this low-carbon source. On the solar front, regions like California and Lebanon achieve substantial portions of their electricity through solar power. By investing in solar farms and exploring the possibility of nuclear power plants, Moldova could diversify and expand its clean energy portfolio. Establishing partnerships with these countries for technology transfer and expertise exchange could further accelerate this transition towards a more sustainable and robust energy system.
History
Historically, Moldova's low-carbon electricity generation has been characterized by a modest contribution from hydropower, interspersed with occasional small declines and rises over decades, while recent years have seen attempts to diversify with solar and wind power. In the early 1990s, hydropower saw small fluctuations, and in the 2010s, it experienced a steady decline, with minor increases in the late 2010s. The 2020s have brought about some diversification attempts, with solar and wind power introduced in 2022 and 2023, respectively, although progress has been uneven. Given these past trends, it is crucial that Moldova commits to a firm strategy of expanding low-carbon technologies, with a particular focus on scalable and reliable sources like nuclear and solar power, to ensure a cleaner and more sustainable electricity future.
