Over 1,600 households in the Republic of Moldova bought new appliances this year with the EcoVoucher Program support
1,611 households in the Republic of Moldova will benefit from lower energy bills after they replaced their old appliances with modern ones. These households were recipients of the first session of the 2026 Appliance Voucher Program (EcoVoucher).
According to the National Center for Sustainable Energy (CNED), beneficiaries purchased 726 refrigerators and 846 washing machines through the EcoVoucher program.
The vouchers, valued at 6,000 lei each, could cover up to 70% of the total cost of purchased appliances, provided they met energy efficiency criteria and European compliance standards. Eligible appliances included refrigerators with energy efficiency classes A, B, C, and D, as well as class A washing machines.
“The results of the program confirm the ongoing interest of the population in the EcoVoucher initiative and indicate a growing trend towards making consumption decisions based on energy efficiency and optimizing family budgets. Families now have access to modern and energy-efficient equipment, which enhances their comfort and improves their quality of life”, said Ion Muntean, director of the CNED.
The profile of beneficiaries from the first session of the EcoVoucher Program in 2026 reflects the program's social dimension:
- 1,105 families with minor children;
- 294 elderly individuals (aged 63 years and older);
- 212 beneficiaries with severe disabilities.
Additionally, 10% of the vouchers were specifically reserved for people with severe disabilities.
External support is a crucial element in the development of sustainable energy, helping to reduce bills and improve living conditions, according to Iwona Piórko, the European Union Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova.
“Through the EcoVoucher program, the European Union supports families in the Republic of Moldova by helping them reduce their energy bills and improve their daily living conditions. Replacing old household appliances with energy-efficient ones is a simple step that enhances energy resilience, reduces emissions, and advances Moldova’s green transition,” stated Iwona Piórko.
Since the launch of the EcoVoucher program in 2024, over 41,644 households in the Republic of Moldova have replaced their old, energy-intensive household appliances. CNED data indicate that this replacement can lead to annual savings of up to 8 million kWh, equivalent to approximately 30 million lei.
The program’s implementation is ensured by CNED under the project "Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies for Moldova" (E4M), which is carried out by the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Moldova and is funded by the EU, Germany, Norway, and Denmark.
Author: Gabriela Melnic
