Part of the meters are installed by Premier Energy Distribution in the municipality of Chișinău and six suburbs and another part - by RED Nord, in the northern region, including the suburb of Bălți. The meters are installed in households selected according to criteria of geographical location, population density, energy vulnerability, socio-economic status, availability of infrastructure, etc.
The smart meters will measure consumption at short intervals, energy quality parameters and transmit data automatically, securely and without errors to the energy supplier, without the need for employees of distribution companies to physically read the meters. At the same time, the supplier will bill actual energy consumption, not estimated one and the distributor will be able to identify accidents more quickly and reduce response time.
"This pilot programme will contribute to the digitalization of the energy sector, with smart meters being a necessary step towards the introduction of time-of-use differentiated electricity tariffs. Smart grids will enable better management of consumption and the integration of more locally produced renewable energy and ultimately reduce energy dependency and greenhouse gas emissions," said Cristina Pereteatcu, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy.
The smart metering system will use PLC (Power Line Communication) technology, which uses power lines and the services of electronic communication operators, to transmit data to the central unit. The centralized data will be transmitted to a control system where it will be possible to analyze the evolution of consumer behaviour in relation to energy prices and develop informed policies.
According to Sergiu Petrea, Director of Premier Energy Distribution, "these meters provide the distribution operator with technical information that will allow better monitoring of energy flows, identification of commercial losses, improvement of the quality of distribution services provided, reduction of operational costs with an impact on electricity distribution tariffs".
The intelligent data logging system involves not only access to accurate data, but also monitoring of power quality parameters such as voltage, current, other necessary data that the customer can see through an application at any time, explains Viorel Corbu, technical director of RED Nord.
In the Bălțiul Nou neighborhood, RED Nord has combined the installation of smart meters with work to replace overhead power lines with underground networks, which contributes to increased safety and consumer protection.
The data collected under the programme will be used to develop new policies for more efficient consumption. The UNDP and EU are testing several technical solutions that can be extended to the whole country, including the pilot programme for the installation of smart meters, and the "Rabla for household appliances" programme to replace energy-guzzling appliances with energy-efficient ones.
More than 50% of meters in the EU are smart, which has reduced commercial consumption by up to 15% and technical consumption by 5%. Smart grids are driven by the need to minimize consumption worldwide to curb resource waste and global warming.
The Ministry of Energy launched on June 13, 2023 a pilot program for the installation of smart meters for electricity. The pilot programme is part of the national plan for digitalization of the energy sector and is being implemented with the support of the United Nations Development Programme in Moldova and other development partners.
"With this pilot program, we are starting a broad process of digitization of the energy sector, smart meters are also a necessary step for the introduction of differentiated electricity tariffs according to the time of consumption. The time of low energy prices is over, so in order to reduce costs, we need to consume energy intelligently," said Victor Parlicov, Minister of Energy.
The data gathered under the program will be used to develop new energy efficiency policies. The UNDP is testing several technical solutions that could later be scaled up across the country, including a pilot program to install smart meters and the EU-funded "Rabla Appliances" program to replace energy-guzzling appliances with energy-efficient ones.
"This important initiative aims to start transforming the national electricity grid into a smart one, offering multiple advantages and benefits, such as: consumer control over consumption, improved energy efficiency, cost savings and access to valuable data for energy analysis and informed decision-making," said Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative in Moldova.
With smart grids, customers have more freedom in choosing their supply offer and can opt for flexible tariffs, as the smart meter allows the storage of six types of tariffs. This will allow consumers to use their appliances at times when energy is cheaper. Smart appliances will be able to automatically "read" the tariffs from the meter and decide when is the most convenient time to switch on.
In the EU, more than 50% of meters are smart meters, reducing commercial consumption on the grid by up to 15% and technical consumption by 5%. Smart grids are based on the need to minimize consumption worldwide to curb resource waste and global warming.
After a year, during which the operation of the meters and information on individual energy consumption will be analysed, the program could be extended to the whole country.
"The programme launched will have a major impact on the economy and the energy market and will bring more opportunities. I ask that at the institutional level all the necessary regulations are developed so that the technology we now have can work efficiently", said Dorin Recean, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova.
Smart meters will measure the consumption at short intervals and will automatically, securely, and accurately send the data to the energy distributor, without the supply companies having to send their employees to physically read the meters. At the same time, the supplier will bill the actual energy consumption, not the estimated one, and will be able to quicker identify and intervene in case of accidents.
"Through this pilot programme, we are starting an extensive process of digitalization of the energy sector, smart meters being a necessary step for the introduction of differentiated tariffs for electricity, based on the hour of consumption. The era of cheap energy has passed, so to reduce costs, we need to be smart about how we consume energy," said Victor Parlicov Minister of Energy.
The data collected within the programme will be used to develop new consumption efficiency policies. UNDP is piloting several technical solutions that will later be expanded to the whole country, among them – the pilot programme for the installation of smart meters, but also the "Rabla for household appliances" EU-funded programme, to replace energy-consuming appliances with energy-efficient ones.
"This important initiative aims to start transforming the national electricity grid to a smart one, providing multiple advantages and benefits, such as greater consumer control, improved energy efficiency, cost savings and access to valuable data for energy analysis and informed decision making," said Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.
With smart grids, customers will have more offers to choose from, being able to opt for flexible tariffs, as the smart meter allows storing six types of tariffs. Thus, consumers will be able to use household appliances during the hours when energy is cheaper. Smart household appliances will be able to automatically "read" the tariffs from the meter and decide which is the most convenient time to be turned on.
In the European Union, over 50% of the meters are intelligent, which allowed to reduce by up to 15% the commercial consumption in the network and by 5% for technical losses. Smart grids are based on the need to reduce consumption as much as possible, worldwide, to limit the waste of resources and global warming.
The programme could be extended to the whole country within a year, after the data on the functioning of the meters and data on individual energy consumption will be analyzed.
The draft Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) 2025-2030, a document that represents a roadmap for achieving the country''s decarbonization goals, was publicly consulted on 16 February 2024. The document was developed by the Ministry of Energy with the support of the European Union, provided through the program "Addressing the Impact of the Energy Crisis in the Republic of Moldova", implemented by UNDP Moldova.
PNIEC sets targets on renewable energy, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. The plan is a legal commitment of the Republic of Moldova and only covers commitments concerning the territory controlled by the constitutional authorities.
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