FERM 2025 Debate | Daniel PENCEA (Ministry of Energy) in dialogue with Alexandru GAMANJII and Eng. Gabriel BARBIR on Modular Microreactors, Uranium Resources, and Energy Storage Solutions
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025
Thematic Panel:
Energy and the Transition Towards a Sustainable Energy System
Speaker:
Daniel Pencea – Chief Financial and Budget Officer, Ministry of Energy
Topic of Intervention:
“Challenges and Solutions for Energy Security and Efficiency Through Nuclear Power and Energy Storage”
Present at this year’s edition of the Regional Economic Forum Moldova (FERM 2025), held in Vatra Dornei from July 9-13, Daniel Pencea, along with Alexandru Gamanjii (ADR Chișinău) and Eng. Gabriel Barbir (National Uranium Company), took part in a debate within Panel 5 – Energy.
The discussion highlighted both perspectives on new modular nuclear technologies and unresolved issues related to Romania’s uranium resources and the strategic need for energy storage capacities.
Modular Microreactors – Ongoing Project
Starting from the question posed by Alexandru Gamanjii, ADR Chișinău representative, regarding the memorandum between Romania and the USA on the construction of modular nuclear microreactors (SMRs), Daniel Pencea explained the current status of the project:
“In the first phase, Romania signed for the supply of three microreactors with an installed capacity of 20 MW. They have already passed the pre-authorization phase and are now awaiting approval from the international alliance monitoring nuclear projects. Nuclear energy is highly supervised, which entails strict procedures, but the project is ongoing and currently in the authorization phase for actual construction.”
This step marks an important direction in strengthening Romania’s energy independence, with potential benefits also for the Republic of Moldova, within the context of regional energy interconnections.
Uranium Resources and Economic Dilemma
Geologist engineer Gabriel Barbir, with extensive experience at the National Uranium Company (CNU), drew attention to Romania’s natural resource potential.
“Nuclear energy remains the cheapest, starting from ore extraction. In the Crucea-Livezi perimeter, there are resources not only of uranium but also of titanium and nickel. It is an area worth investing in for the long term. Unfortunately, CNU is insolvent, not due to a lack of resources but due to the absence of a clear governmental strategy.”
Barbir also emphasized vulnerabilities related to import dependency and the need to utilize internal resources, comparing the situation with other historical losses of natural resources exploited at “dumping prices”.
In response, Daniel Pencea highlighted the economic dimension of the problem.
“The final price of uranium extracted by CNU was 30-35% higher than that imported from other countries. In a competitive market, we cannot ignore these realities. Official documents clearly show that imports were more advantageous than domestic production.”
This divergence of views illustrated the tension between the geostrategic and economic arguments, both relevant for energy security.
Energy Storage – Top Priority for the Future
Beyond nuclear energy, Daniel Pencea emphasized a major challenge common to Romania and the Republic of Moldova: energy storage capacity.
“The energy market is extremely dynamic, and consumption peaks never coincide with production peaks. Medium-term storage spaces must be top priority, especially for the Republic of Moldova. Wind or hydro energy is not suitable everywhere – each area has its specific characteristics. The solution is to identify the optimal source for each region and invest in storage.”
This recommendation comes at a moment when the Republic of Moldova is seeking strategic directions to reduce external dependence and diversify its energy mix.
Conclusion
The debate within Panel 5 – Energy highlighted that the energy transition in the Moldova–Romania region cannot be approached unilaterally. Modular nuclear technologies offer real prospects for increasing energy independence, yet their success depends on integrating them into a coherent strategy that leverages internal resources, balances costs, and reduces import dependency.
At the same time, energy storage capacity proved essential for managing consumption fluctuations and maintaining the stability of the energy system, underscoring the need for investments and policies tailored to the specific characteristics of each region.
Thus, FERM 2025 confirmed its role as a strategic dialogue platform, bringing together experts, authorities, and the business environment, demonstrating that the future of Moldova’s and Romania’s energy sector depends on integrated planning, cross-border collaboration, and long-term committed decisions.
