Think outside the [sand] box

Empower innovation in energy!

Welcome to the Sandbox, powered by the Ministry of Energy

Discover a unique opportunity to innovate and transform Moldova’s energy sector.

Our mission is to foster innovation, support the transition to renewable energy, and ensure Moldova remains at the forefront of energy advancements.

What is a regulatory sandbox?

A regulatory framework that allows you to build (almost) anything you want.

A space that encourages creativity and exploration, allowing yourself to fail in some attempts.

A safe environment for testing new ideas, but well-defined and bounded.

An opportunity to take advantage of specific regulatory exemptions for up to 7 years, though not all restrictions are lifted.

Benefits

Encourages innovation

The sandbox mechanism provides a platform for developing and testing new technologies and business models that can drive the energy sector forward.

Regulatory flexibility

Allows companies to benefit from temporary regulatory exemptions, enabling the testing of innovations that might otherwise be hindered by existing laws.

Risk mitigation

Helps identify and address potential risks in a controlled setting before scaling up new technologies or approaches.

Consumer protection

Ensure that innovations are tested in a way that protects consumer interests and adheres to the highest standards of safety and reliability.

Accelerated energy transition

Drives the shift to a low-carbon economy, promoting renewable energy solutions.

Promotes sustainability

Contributes to increasing renewable energy usage in Moldova, aiming for 27% by 2030.

Ready to innovate in Moldova’s energy sector? Before applying, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.

Who can apply?

Applicants

Legal Status

Applicants must be natural or legal persons registered in the Republic of Moldova. Foreign legal entities can also apply if they establish a branch in Moldova for the entire duration of the sandbox project.

No insolvency

Applicants must not be undergoing insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings

No conflict of interest

Applicants must not have any conflict of interest in relation to the sandbox project.

Clean legal record

Applicants (or consortium members) must not have been convicted of serious offenses such as corruption, fraud, or involvement in criminal organizations.

Projects

Innovative contribution

The project should be innovative with the potential to significantly contribute to the energy sector,through the use of renewable energy sources, its storage, or advanced alternative solutions for energy supply, distribution, or demand.

Regulatory barriers

The project must face substantial regulatory barriers under the current legal framework that hinder its implementation.

Regulatory learning

It should have the capacity to contribute to regulatory improvement and learning.

Consumer protection

The project must ensure consumer protection during its implementation.

Scalability

The project should have the potential to be scaled up after successful testing in the sandbox.