82% of Moldovan towns lit up with EU support
In the past three years, over 100 localities in the Republic of Moldova have benefited from the modernization or expansion of street lighting. This improvement has been made possible through support from the European Union, either via direct funding or through co-financed national programs. These investments have significantly enhanced street lighting in the country's towns, raising the overall coverage to over 82%.
According to the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, the projects involving the installation of new light sources provide tangible benefits to communities.
The implementation of LED technology has reduced energy consumption by 50-70%. This decrease is reflected in lower bills for city halls and promotes more efficient management of public resources.
Additionally, modernized street lighting enhances the safety of citizens, particularly at night, by creating better-lit and safer public spaces.
Some of these lighting systems are powered by locally produced energy from solar panels, which increases the energy independence of local communities.
For instance, in the locality of Drăgănești in the Sângerei district, twelve street lighting fixtures that charge from sunlight were installed, including three near a gymnasium. "Near a sports field, where people come in the evening to exercise," notes Robu Oleg, the mayor of the commune.
According to the local authority, the other lighting fixtures illuminate a section of the road next to a footbridge, “where you couldn’t really see at night, but now everything is fine.”
The installation was part of the project titled "Right to a decent old age in better living conditions," which was implemented by the AO "Bălți Legal Clinic" with financial support from the European Union under the project "Local partnerships for energy efficiency in social services."
This program is co-financed and executed by the Soros Moldova Foundation, in partnership with IP Keystone Moldova and the Public Association “Social Innovation Funds in Moldova.”
Authorities and development partners emphasize that such investments not only enhance local infrastructure but also improve the quality of life, providing better and safer conditions for residents throughout the country.
