Moldova and Poland partner to boost energy efficiency projects
The Republic of Moldova will cooperate with Poland in the area of energy efficiency. A memorandum to this effect was signed in Chișinău between the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of Poland.
The document outlines plans to strengthen cooperation in the energy transition, with an emphasis on improving the energy efficiency of buildings and advancing decarbonization to support Moldova's integration into the European Union.
“Moldova's centralised heating systems are technically among the most efficient. However, consumers do not experience this efficiency due to outdated thermal energy distribution systems within buildings, coupled with the low energy efficiency of the buildings themselves. Our goal is to create better conditions and improve thermal comfort for consumers. With the support of development partners, more than 300 million euros in funding has been allocated for Chișinău alone to modernise residential buildings and invest in energy efficiency,” said Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov.
The memorandum also involves sharing knowledge and best practices regarding building energy efficiency between Poland and Moldova. This includes legislative solutions, business models, exploring funding opportunities for energy efficiency projects, organising workshops and training sessions, implementing IT tools to improve building energy efficiency, and providing assistance with energy performance audits and certifications.
The memorandum was signed during the Moldova-Poland Business Forum, organised by the Investment Agency in partnership with the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), the Ministry of Development and Technology of Poland, and the Embassy of Poland in Chișinău.
In Moldova, the building sector is the largest energy consumer, accounting for nearly 50% of total energy consumption. However, one-quarter of this energy is lost due to low energy efficiency.
Moldova has committed to improving the energy efficiency of 0.8% of its building area annually. To support this goal, the Energy Efficiency Fund for the Residential Sector in Moldova (FEERM) was established, offering grants to enhance energy efficiency in apartment buildings and individual homes. Over the next three years, more than half a million square metres of residential space will be rehabilitated.
Additionally, several projects are being implemented to improve public buildings. These include the "Energy Efficiency in Moldova" Project (MEEP), which focuses on energy modernization and optimising energy consumption in 10 nationally significant medical institutions; the "Sustainable Transition to Energy Efficiency in Moldova" Project (STEEM), which involves the energy renovation of 46 schools across the country; and the Initiative for Developing Sustainable Public Infrastructure through Energy Efficiency Renovations (INSPIREE), which includes the renovation of 25 public buildings nationwide to enhance energy efficiency.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
