THE DYNAMIC OF USING THE RIVERS ENERGY FROM REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA TERRITORY
DIANA BRAGA
ABSTRACT – The dynamic of using the rivers energy from Republic of Moldova
territory. One of the least explored and tapped energy sources in Moldova are
the inland rivers. Considering the critical condition of the country regarding
energy sources, it would be highly necessary to study the feasibility of
hydraulic energy reserves. Although Moldova has no major rivers with a large
flow of water, the network of small tributaries of its two large rivers,
Dniester and Prut, could be used to a certain extent for partial power supply to
villages situated along inland watercourses.
The first scientific developments concerning the hydropower potential of the
rivers in Bessarabia belong to professor D. Pavel. Around 1933 he was suggesting
a series of hydro-technical facilities on Prut and Dniester rivers and their
tributaries. Subsequently, in the ‘40s of the 20th century the first power
plants were built on small rivers. After World War II some small hydropower
plants, built during the interwar period, had been restored and some other put
into operation. These include the plant at Dubăsari with a capacity of 48 MW
that started operating in 1954 on Dniester River, and the hydroelectric complex
at Costeşti -Stânca with a capacity of 16 MW, in 1978 on the River Prut.
Nevertheless, the leverage of hydroelectric resources is not significant, only
23 being used nowadays, which is 7% of the hydropower potential - a rather
modest number compared to other states.
Keywords: hydropower resources, water mills, hydropower plants, hydro-electric
power station, hydraulic energy.