Estimated time of reading: ~ 3 minutes

The ongoing energy crisis has placed significant pressure on EU countries, particularly those in Central and Eastern Europe. The European Union has stepped in to support affected nations, offering substantial funding to diversify energy sources, improve infrastructure, and accelerate the green energy transition. We can bring practical examples concerning two countries that are among the most vulnerable.

Moldova is receiving significant EU backing to secure its energy future. The EU has allocated funds to help Moldova diversify its gas imports, develop renewable energy sources, and integrate more effectively into the European energy market. In particular:

· EU4Energy Program – This initiative supports Moldova’s energy sector, focusing on improving energy efficiency, diversifying energy supplies, and fostering energy market reforms. Since 2022, Moldova has received €100 million from the EU under this program, aiding the construction of new energy infrastructure and renewable projects.

· Financial Assistance to Moldova – Moldova benefits from the EU’s broader financial aid, including a recent €75 million package to improve gas interconnectivity with Romania, which is crucial for reducing its dependence on Russian energy.

The EU is also working with Moldova on energy projects, including solar and wind energy development. Moldova received €50 million through the Horizon Europe program for innovation in clean energy technologies. Slovakia, which also faced significant disruptions in Russian gas supplies, has been actively using EU funding to transition away from fossil fuels and enhance its energy security:

· Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) – Slovakia’s RRP includes significant investments in renewable energy, energy storage, and energy efficiency. The EU has allocated €4.5 billion to Slovakia’s recovery plan, with a large portion dedicated to energy projects, including wind, solar, and hydrogen technologies investments.

· Cohesion Fund and Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) – Slovakia has been awarded €250 million from the Cohesion Fund to enhance its energy infrastructure, including improving gas pipelines and building new interconnections with neighbouring countries like Poland and Austria. The effort is to reduce Slovakia’s reliance on Russian gas by 30% by 2027.

While Moldova and Slovakia were the focus of this article, the problem undoubtedly has an EU dimension. For this reason, the EU’s commitment to financing the energy transition in response to the gas supply shock is evident. With billions of euros allocated to support energy diversification, renewable energy projects, and infrastructure improvements, the EU is helping Member States transition towards greener, more sustainable energy systems.

With continued investments and strategic use of funds in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and infrastructure, the EU is working to ensure that all Member States can build a more resilient, diversified, and sustainable energy future.

Written by: Cristina Ceccarelli