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BUCHAREST – Romania is urging the European Commission (EC) to grant a temporary suspension of CO₂ certificate obligations on electricity exported to Moldova, as the neighboring country battles a severe energy crisis.
Speaking on January 8, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja confirmed that both Romania and Moldova have formally requested a derogation from EU emission trading rules that currently apply to Romanian-generated electricity—even when sold to a country in emergency.
Why the Request Matters
Moldova is experiencing a state of emergency in its energy system, triggered by the collapse of natural gas imports from Russia. To stabilize the grid, Moldova now imports between 50% to 60% of its electricity from Romania, part of it through short-term trades on the day-ahead market.
A large share is also supplied under direct bilateral contracts with major Romanian producers including:
- Nuclearelectrica
- OMV Petrom
However, these imports carry the added cost of EU CO₂ certificates—even though the electricity is consumed outside EU borders. Minister Burduja emphasized that waiving these carbon-related charges would offer critical financial relief to the Moldovan government, which is currently subsidizing energy costs for low-income households.
Sharp Price Hikes for Moldovan Consumers
As of January 2025, Moldovan electricity tariffs surged by 65–75%, reaching approximately €0.24 per kWh—a price on par with EU averages, but disproportionate for a country with much lower income levels.
In contrast, regulated household prices in Romania remain significantly lower, making the cost disparity even more stark.
The carbon pricing burden not only affects Moldovan consumers, but also risks undermining regional energy solidarity, especially as Moldova continues its EU integration efforts.
Next Steps: Awaiting Brussels’ Response
The joint request from Bucharest and Chișinău has been submitted to the European Commission for review. If approved, the exemption could:
- Temporarily remove the COâ‚‚ certificate obligation for exports to Moldova
- Alleviate price pressure on Moldovan energy users
- Support cross-border resilience within the EU’s extended energy market
The EC has yet issued no formal response. However, analysts expect the proposal to be debated as part of broader discussions on energy affordability, energy poverty, and EU neighborhood cooperation in early 2025.
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