Sandbox Governance

The governance of the energy sector sandbox is designed to ensure that innovative projects are effectively managed, thoroughly evaluated, and seamlessly integrated into the broader energy landscape. This robust governance framework is anchored by four key entities, each playing a vital role in the sandbox mechanism:

The Sandbox Commission

The Sandbox Commission is the central body responsible for overseeing all activities within the Energy Sandbox.

Composed of a diverse panel of industry experts, government officials, and independent advisors, the Commission provides strategic guidance and regulatory oversight to all participants.

Project evaluation and approval

Reviewing and approving applications based on their innovation potential, feasibility, and alignment with the sandbox’s objectives.

Monitoring and compliance

Ensuring that all sandbox projects adhere to the defined regulatory relaxations and meet their intended goals. The Commission monitors ongoing projects and can request adjustments if necessary.

Regulatory learning

Gathering insights from sandbox projects to inform and adapt the broader regulatory framework. This ensures that successful innovations can transition smoothly from the sandbox to the mainstream energy sector.

The commission is composed of ten voting members, seven of whom are delegated by their respective institutions

Representative of the central government body in charge of energy policy

Energy Institute representative

Technical University of Moldova representative

The central government body responsible for environmental policy representative

ANRE representative

National Center for Sustainable Energy representative

Three independent energy experts

Intelligence and Security Service representative

The Secretariat of the Sandbox Commission

The Secretariat, housed within the Ministry of Energy, provides the essential administrative and technical support for the Sandbox Commission, including:

Application management

Processing and screening applications to ensure they meet basic eligibility criteria before they are reviewed by the Commission.

Stakeholder coordination

Facilitating communication between project participants, the Commission, and relevant government bodies, ensuring a smooth and efficient governance process.

Reporting and documentation

Maintaining records of all sandbox activities, preparing reports for the Commission, and ensuring transparency in the sandbox’s operations.

The Ministry of Energy

The Ministry of Energy chairs the Sandbox Commission and is responsible for housing the Secretariat as a structural unit within its organization. As the chairing entity, the Ministry leads the strategic oversight of the sandbox, ensuring that it contributes to national energy goals. The Ministry also coordinates with other governmental bodies to implement and enforce the decisions made by the Sandbox Commission.

The Government

The Government plays a crucial role in the overall sandbox mechanism by setting the strategic direction for energy innovation, approving key regulations, and authorizing individual sandbox projects. It ensures that the sandbox operates within the national regulatory framework and aligns with the broader energy policy objectives.