Strategic energy infrastructure projects to receive priority authorization in Moldova

A mechanism for coordinating and authorizing strategic energy infrastructure projects will be introduced in the national legislation, providing a priority regime for projects developed in partnership with European Union member states. A draft law containing these measures was adopted by the parliament in the second reading.

The draft law was developed by the Energy Ministry and transposes into national legislation the EU Regulation on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure. The proposed amendments aim to modernize the national regulatory framework in the energy sector, in the context of structural changes at regional and European level, new international obligations undertaken by the country and the need to strengthen the energy security.

According to the draft, the Law on Energy will be supplemented with a separate chapter dedicated to projects of common and mutual interest. As a result, a special legal regime will be established for strategic energy infrastructure and a coordinated and accelerated authorization procedure for this type of projects will be regulated. Thus, a single point of contact will be designated, maximum time limits will be set for the stages of the authorization procedure, and mechanisms for interinstitutional coordination and monitoring will be introduced.

These legislative proposals will shorten the duration of administrative procedures, prevent bottlenecks and ensure predictability for the investment process. Presently  authorization of energy projects of common interest takes, on average, around three years, depending on their complexity and the procedure involves more institutions.

The draft law also includes a series of provisions that clarify the application of the existing legal framework in the case of energy projects declared to be of public utility and national interest.

The legislative amendments will enter into force on the date of their publication in the Official Journal.