Moldova’s consumers connected to the district heating system will be able to individually regulate the temperature in apartments
This is provided for by the relevant amendments to the legislation in force, passed by Parliament in the second reading. They are aimed at promoting cogeneration and centralized heat supply systems. The legislative initiative belongs to the Ministry of Energy. The purpose of the draft law is to consolidate and develop the existing centralized heat supply systems in the context of promoting the policy of increasing the efficiency of energy consumption. The document provides an opportunity for heat energy companies to invest in collective heating systems in order to switch from vertical heating to horizontal heating. This will ensure that consumers can individually regulate the temperature in their homes, measure heat consumption by meter, and conclude a service contract, while heat suppliers will be responsible for the quality of the heat provided. Residents will also have the opportunity to invest in their own engineering system for heat distribution within the apartment building. Another provision of the draft law concerns the obligation to integrate renewable energy sources, heat storage elements into the central heating system, and from January 1, 2030 - to have a system using at least 50% of energy from renewable sources or 50% of residual heat energy, or 50% of energy from renewable sources and residual heat energy, or 75% of heat energy produced in a high-efficiency cogeneration mode, or at least a combination of these types of heat energy, and integration of heat energy storage technology or incineration and/or co-combustion of waste for energy purposes. The draft law also establishes obligations for district heating systems to purchase residual heat from industrial activities. The document also stipulates that in addition to heat and power enterprises, other heat producers will be able to operate, provided that the heat supplied to the centralized supply system is cheaper than the energy of heat and power enterprises. The draft law also regulates the creation of unitary heat supply zones. Thus, in settlements where large heat supply systems exist, local public administration authorities will establish the obligation of consumers within the area of these territories to connect exclusively to centralized heat supply systems. Disconnection within these zones will be prohibited unless full coverage of heat consumption by renewable sources is ensured. The draft law also provides for the obligation to connect new buildings, as well as buildings undergoing major repairs, to centralized heat supply systems if technically feasible, taking into account their economic feasibility. Earlier it was reported that the EBRD will grant Moldova a loan of 143.5 million euros to optimize the heating system in Chisinau. The mentioned EBRD loan will complement the financing of Moldova's other external partners for a large project with a total budget of 326.5 million euros. In particular, the EBRD and the European Investment Bank will provide loans of 143.5 million euros each for the implementation of the project. The Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) will provide a grant of 15 million euros, and the EU Neighborhood Investment Platform (EU NIP) will provide a grant of 24.5 million euros. These grants are intended for investments in energy efficiency improvements in the residential buildings sector. In general, within the framework of the project for optimization of the heating system of Chisinau, with a total cost of 326.5 million euros, it is planned to install 2510 individual heating points and transfer 1665 apartment buildings to a horizontal system of heat carrier distribution. This will allow consumers to regulate their own energy consumption. These measures will help reduce heat losses by up to 30%, lower costs for consumers, and by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the negative impact on the environment will be reduced. It is also planned to use these funds for insulation of buildings, reconstruction of primary heating networks and construction of 2 pumping stations. // 27.03.2025 - InfoMarket.
