25 apartment buildings can access energy rehab funds for lower heating bills
Twenty-five apartment buildings in the municipalities of Chișinău and Bălți, as well as in the districts of Drochia, Soroca, Florești, and Orhei, are set to undergo thermal renovation work. Tenants have received energy audit reports, which are the first mandatory step to access non-reimbursable financing.
Technical assessments have clearly identified the necessary interventions to reduce heat loss. Estimates indicate that implementing all proposed measures could save hundreds of millions of lei on energy bills.
Representatives from 25 apartment buildings recently visited a renovated building in Chisinau. This building, constructed in the 1970s, suffered from significant heat loss. Once the renovation is complete, heat loss is expected to decrease by approximately 60%.
The construction project for the building in Chisinau began in 2023 and involved co-financing from the owners.
“Just this week, we conducted an analysis of one of the apartments. Compared to a neighboring building that is not insulated, the temperature in our building is already 6 to 7 degrees higher. The total cost of the project is 5.8 million lei, with the association and tenants contributing 1.3 million lei. Everything has been decided and accomplished in cooperation with the neighbors,” said Svetlana Iacub, the building administrator.
Meanwhile, administrators of other buildings across the country are beginning to set their priorities based on the reports they have received.
“The main issues we face are the roof, the insulation of the walls, and the replacement of the entrance doors and windows in the common areas. We really hope to receive further guidance to fully take advantage of this audit,” said Ala Cucu, the administrator of a building in Bălți.
Representatives from Orhei and Soroca emphasize that investments will enhance the financial situation of tenants, particularly those who are vulnerable.
“As for energy efficiency, we aim to install photovoltaic panels and replace the entrance doors. We have a lot of work ahead of us,” said Vitalii Galagan, a representative of a homeowners' association in Orhei.
“The size of utility bills during the cold season poses a significant problem, especially for elderly tenants on limited budgets. This is why such projects are greatly appreciated,” added Eugeniu Doga, a representative from Soroca.
Associations that possess audit reports can apply for financial support through the Energy Efficiency Fund in the Residential Sector, which is managed by the National Center for Sustainable Energy (CNED). The program benefits from a budget of over 1.4 billion lei allocated until 2027.
“Energy efficiency projects represent a safe investment: up to 70% of the cost of the work is covered by the state, while the remaining 30% is the responsibility of the owners. For energy-vulnerable tenants, special allowances are available, which significantly reduce this share,” explained Ion Muntean, director of CNED.
To date, 99 energy audits have been conducted for apartment buildings nationwide, and 15 projects have already received final approval for financing.
