Moldova to receive 10 million euros on behalf of Italy to set smart meters, create Unified Social Protection Platform

27 January 2025, Chișinău - Moldova will receive a non-reimbursable financial assistance of 10 million euros to promote energy efficiency through the installation of smart meters and the digitalization of the energy and social protection sectors. The grant is provided by Italy through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and complements the 10 million euros allocated in November 2023.

The funds provided by Italy will be used to expand the ongoing pilot program for smart meter installation. By the end of this year, 35,000 meters will be installed, with another 25,000 devices to be installed in 2026.

"This project is very important, especially in the context where the entire country is working to enhance energy efficiency. We thank the Government of Italy for all the assistance it provides to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, and the United Nations Development Programme for implementing the project," said the Prime Minister.

Smart metering encourages consumers to use electricity during off-peak times when demand is lower, energy is cheaper, and the grid load is reduced. Thus, the initiative contributes to balancing energy consumption throughout the day and reduces pressure on the grid during peak hours.

Ambassador of Italy to Moldova Lorenzo Tomassoni said that, in a spirit of friendship and solidarity, Italy would continue to support a democratic and European Moldova for a peaceful and prosperous future. "Energy blackmail is one of the tools of hybrid warfare aimed at slowing down the process of EU accession. This blackmail has not and will not work," declared Ambassador Lorenzo Tomassoni.

For her part, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Moldova Daniela Gasparikova emphasized that Italy's assistance would strengthen UNDP Moldova's efforts in digitizing the country's energy sector. "Consumers will benefit from more predictability, and by integrating the approach used by the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund into the national social protection system, we aim to ensure that vulnerable households have extended access to essential services," said UNDP's Resident Representative in Moldova.

In addition to the setting of smart meters, a unified national register of consumption points will be created, in order to facilitate data exchange between suppliers, distributors and consumers, improving data management in the energy sector.

Also, a unified platform – 'eSocial' – will be created to integrate all available social protection programs and enable access to them via a single online portal. Capacities of the Digital Social Innovation Center at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection are also set to be developed.