THE INTEGRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA INTO THE EU GREEN ENERGY SYSTEM THROUGH HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

In the context of heightened regional instability and rising energy insecurity triggered by the Russia–Ukraine conflict, the Republic of Moldova faces severe challenges, including surging natural gas and electricity prices that have significantly constrained its economic resilience. As a candidate c...

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Main Authors: Yanhao ZHANG, Yating LAN, Zorina SISCAN
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (AESM), Center for Studies in European Integration 2025-06-01
Series:Eastern European Journal of Regional Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://csei.ase.md/journal/files/issue_111/12.EEJRS_issue1_2025-ZHANG.pdf
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author Yanhao ZHANG
Yating LAN
Zorina SISCAN
author_facet Yanhao ZHANG
Yating LAN
Zorina SISCAN
author_sort Yanhao ZHANG
collection DOAJ
description In the context of heightened regional instability and rising energy insecurity triggered by the Russia–Ukraine conflict, the Republic of Moldova faces severe challenges, including surging natural gas and electricity prices that have significantly constrained its economic resilience. As a candidate country for European Union (EU) membership, Moldova's strategic energy realignment aligns with the EU’s “Energy Transition and Strategic Autonomy” agenda, which prioritizes the development of green electricity and green hydrogen to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels. This paper conducts a comprehensive techno-economic assessment of Moldova’s potential to participate in the EU green energy system by investing in green hydrogen production. Using the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) model, the study evaluates the financial and regulatory feasibility of constructing a 5 MW electrolysis facility under different technological and market scenarios. The findings suggest that Moldova possesses both economic and infrastructural conditions conducive to producing tradable renewable hydrogen, in accordance with EU standards. Furthermore, the development of a domestic hydrogen industry could stimulate demand for renewable electricity, catalyze investment in green infrastructure, and contribute to Moldova’s long-term energy independence and economic diversification. This research offers both theoretical insight and policy guidance for small transitioning economies seeking to integrate into regional green energy markets.
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spelling doaj-art-cf7c0fcf9f73495eb38401b6fdbb35d12025-08-20T03:27:47ZengAcademy of Economic Studies of Moldova (AESM), Center for Studies in European IntegrationEastern European Journal of Regional Studies1857-436X2537-61792025-06-0111117119310.53486/2537-6179.11-1.12THE INTEGRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA INTO THE EU GREEN ENERGY SYSTEM THROUGH HYDROGEN PRODUCTIONYanhao ZHANG0https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9809-9139Yating LAN1https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3540-1375Zorina SISCAN2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2158-7659Academy of Economic Studies of MoldovaMoldova State UniversityAcademy of Economic Studies of MoldovaIn the context of heightened regional instability and rising energy insecurity triggered by the Russia–Ukraine conflict, the Republic of Moldova faces severe challenges, including surging natural gas and electricity prices that have significantly constrained its economic resilience. As a candidate country for European Union (EU) membership, Moldova's strategic energy realignment aligns with the EU’s “Energy Transition and Strategic Autonomy” agenda, which prioritizes the development of green electricity and green hydrogen to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels. This paper conducts a comprehensive techno-economic assessment of Moldova’s potential to participate in the EU green energy system by investing in green hydrogen production. Using the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) model, the study evaluates the financial and regulatory feasibility of constructing a 5 MW electrolysis facility under different technological and market scenarios. The findings suggest that Moldova possesses both economic and infrastructural conditions conducive to producing tradable renewable hydrogen, in accordance with EU standards. Furthermore, the development of a domestic hydrogen industry could stimulate demand for renewable electricity, catalyze investment in green infrastructure, and contribute to Moldova’s long-term energy independence and economic diversification. This research offers both theoretical insight and policy guidance for small transitioning economies seeking to integrate into regional green energy markets.https://csei.ase.md/journal/files/issue_111/12.EEJRS_issue1_2025-ZHANG.pdf hydrogeneurepublic of moldovaeuropean integrationlcoh (levelised cost of hydrogen)
spellingShingle Yanhao ZHANG
Yating LAN
Zorina SISCAN
THE INTEGRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA INTO THE EU GREEN ENERGY SYSTEM THROUGH HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
Eastern European Journal of Regional Studies
hydrogen
eu
republic of moldova
european integration
lcoh (levelised cost of hydrogen)
title THE INTEGRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA INTO THE EU GREEN ENERGY SYSTEM THROUGH HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
title_full THE INTEGRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA INTO THE EU GREEN ENERGY SYSTEM THROUGH HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
title_fullStr THE INTEGRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA INTO THE EU GREEN ENERGY SYSTEM THROUGH HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
title_full_unstemmed THE INTEGRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA INTO THE EU GREEN ENERGY SYSTEM THROUGH HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
title_short THE INTEGRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA INTO THE EU GREEN ENERGY SYSTEM THROUGH HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
title_sort integration of the republic of moldova into the eu green energy system through hydrogen production
topic hydrogen
eu
republic of moldova
european integration
lcoh (levelised cost of hydrogen)
url https://csei.ase.md/journal/files/issue_111/12.EEJRS_issue1_2025-ZHANG.pdf
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