Smart meters installed at consumers’ premises across the Republic of Moldova will be connected to a digital infrastructure that will automatically collect and validate electricity consumption data and make it available to operators for network monitoring, consumption analysis and billing.

All these will be possible due to HES (Head-End System) and MDMS (Meter Data Management System) platforms, procured from funds offered by the Government of Italy via UNDP Moldova. The digital solutions, delivered to distribution system operators Premier Energy Distribution and RED-Nord, enable remote reading, configuration and monitoring of smart meters. The platforms will be integrated into the existing infrastructure and will become fully operational within 12 months. 

“Energy is the key to both economic growth and security. Approaching electric energy consumption with an eye to social sustainability is essential for the welfare of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. This is the purpose of Italy's partnership with the Ministry of Energy and UNDP. The HES and MDMS platforms will make the transmission, collection, validation and storage of consumption data more efficient and more transparent, to the benefit of public authorities, electricity suppliers and consumers. As we keep expanding the smart metering infrastructure, we stand ready to support Moldova achieve the goals set in the Energy Sector Digital Transformation Programme 2026-2030 and the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan 2025-2030”, said Giuseppe Maria Perricone, the Ambassador of Italy to the Republic of Moldova.

Smart meters measure electricity consumption and transmit the data through data concentrators and communication networks. The HES platform will collect this information directly from the meters, schedule meter readings and monitor the operation of the devices. The platform will also allow meters to be configured remotely, without requiring technical teams to visit the site. Communication will be bidirectional: in addition to collecting data, operators will be able to send operational commands to the smart meters. The HES will also receive alerts concerning power outages, faults or potential unauthorized interference with the meters.

The collected data will subsequently be transferred to the MDMS platform, where it will be validated, processed and stored, so they can later be used for network operations, consumption analysis and billing. If a reading is missing or incorrect, the system will identify the issue and apply the necessary rules to estimate or correct the data. All changes will be recorded, ensuring that the full data trail remains traceable.

Together, the HES and MDMS platforms will enable the automatic flow of data from the meter installed at the consumers to the systems used by electricity distribution operators and suppliers.

Consumption data will be managed in accordance with personal data protection requirements and the cybersecurity requirements applicable to critical energy infrastructure.

The implementation of the HES and MDMS platforms will bring benefits across the Republic of Moldova’s energy system.

“These platforms will enable the automated management of data collected from smart meters installed across the company’s distribution network. As a result, our specialists will have access to accurate and up-to-date information, allowing them to monitor and manage the distribution network more efficiently. In this way, we are continuing to modernize the distribution network and improve operational efficiency for the benefit of consumers,” said Iurie Beșliu, General Director of RED-Nord.

To date, with the support of the Government of Italy and UNDP Moldova, 44,520 smart meters have been installed for consumers in the northern and central-southern distribution areas, together with the related equipment required for their operation, including data concentrators and communication modules. The pilot project is being carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Energy.

The smart metering infrastructure will continue to expand, and the number of devices installed in the Republic of Moldova is expected to exceed 100,000 by the end of 2027. Once operational, the HES and MDMS platforms will provide the digital foundation required for the nationwide development of smart metering.