Moldova launches first community solar power projects
Moldova is launching its first renewable energy communities, supported by Sweden, Norway, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The initiative is a pilot project, currently being implemented in three locations.
One of these will be set up in the village of Cociulia, Cantemir district, where a photovoltaic power plant is planned.
For Boris Boiștean, who runs a grocery store in Cociulia, joining the energy community was essential. Several electrical appliances operate in his store, and power consumption increases considerably in the summer. Mr Boiștean agreed to participate, stating he hopes to reduce his running costs.
“We decided to participate because, as we all know, energy consumption is expensive. Since we have a grocery store serving the village population, we have many refrigerators—about nine—plus air conditioning. A lot of energy is consumed, especially in the summer when our monthly bills would reach 5,000 to 6,000 Moldovan lei,” Mr Boiștean told Radio Moldova's “Zi de Zi” show.
Ion Bagrin, the administrator of an events hall that also offers catering services in the village, has also joined the project. He says sound systems, air conditioning, and cooking appliances consume a lot of power. He believes that locally produced power is a great advantage, both for him and for his other colleagues.
“It will allow us to make some savings on electricity. Our average monthly electricity expenses were around 5,000 lei. In the summer, we had more, 10,000–12,000 lei.” — “Even a saving of 2,000 lei is a substantial benefit for a business that doesn't have that much work in the locality,” Mr Bagrin added.
The local authorities in Cociulia have also been involved in the community’s creation. Vladimir Putregai, the mayor of Cociulia, said the members have established a limited liability company and plan to start construction of the photovoltaic power plant by the end of this year.
“The village’s two sewage treatment plants and two water pumping stations result in high overall energy costs. The idea was to reduce these expenses and decrease costs for people who use the sewage and water supply systems. The local administration is involved, as are entrepreneurs, and we also have a socially vulnerable family that will be helped. I believe it is also a form of education,” Mr Putregai declared.
A renewable energy community is an association of at least two members—who can be households or legal entities—who unite to produce, share, and use renewable energy. Victoria Ivancioglo, project manager at UNDP Moldova, explained that connecting to the local system reduces the bill because part of the power is generated and used by the community members.
Similar energy communities will also be created in Logănești, Hâncești district, and in two apartment buildings in the municipality of Chișinău. Participants benefit from financial and technical support from the UNDP.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
