Renewables as important energy source for Moldova

The Republic of Moldova is dependent on energy imports in the proportion of 75 percent. This situation is also characteristic for many other countries. Under the circumstances, when a country lacks its own fossil energy sources, it needs to identify alternative solutions to reduce energy dependence and increase energy security. The Republic of Moldova is an agrarian country and has the possibility of growing biomass, and has many vegetal wastes, which could be used as bioenergy. Also, other renewable energy sources, such as wind and sun, are available in the territory and should be integrated into the energy circuit. The rapid development of bioenergy sources requires special programs, support schemes and other interventions by the authorities. The paper presents the solutions applied in the field of bioenergy by the decision-makers, the projects that have been carried out and the way of their implementation. It also presents the evolution of the situation in the bioenergy sector over the last 7 years and how dependence on energy imports has evolved as a result of the implementation of different mechanisms in this sector. Expected opportunities for further development of the sector and ways of accelerating the process of bioeconomy development are estimated. The solutions identified in the paper can be replicated in other countries, which are similar to the Republic of Moldova. On the other hand, each country has some targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Moldova has ambitious targets that provide for a 65% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. The development of the bioenergy sector will contribute to an easier realization of these targets.