Moldelectrica and Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s state-owned electricity transmission system operator and the sole operator of high-voltage power lines transmitting electricity to Ukraine, have signed a set of documents paving the way for the launch of intra-domestic electricity auctions on the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. According to the authorities, the initiative marks a key step towards strengthening the regional electricity market and integrating Moldova into European interconnection management practices, IPN reports.
According to the two companies, the new mechanism will allow electricity trading on the very day of delivery, based on the capacity remaining available after the auctions for the following day. This practice is inspired by the European model “Single Intraday Coupling” and is to be applied after approval by the regulatory authorities of Moldova – ANRE and Ukraine – НКРРЭКП, as well as after testing the interoperability of IT systems.
“By expanding these mechanisms, the Republic of Moldova will fully cover the cross-border capacity allocation segments with Ukraine and Romania,” Moldelectrica announced. The implementation will support the stability of the energy system and facilitate the integration of renewable sources such as solar and wind energy.
The authorities say the auctions will allow generators to sell or buy power in near real-time, reducing imbalance risks and the costs associated with compensating for forecast deviations. In addition, they will stimulate investment in storage batteries, which are useful in regulating price differences and consumption during peak hours.