Moldova will receive €39.5 million in grants to implement the “Optimization of Chisinau District Heating System” project with a total cost of over €326 million
This is provided for in the relevant grant agreements between Moldova, Termoelectrica, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which were signed on May 9 in Chisinau and have now been approved by the government for ratification. According to the documents, in particular, the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) will allocate a grant of €15 million for the implementation of the aforementioned project, and the European Union Neighbourhood Investment Platform (EU NIP) will allocate a grant of €24.54 million. These grants are intended for investments in improving energy efficiency in the residential building sector. The money will be used to purchase goods, works, and related services necessary for the implementation of 57 pilot energy efficiency projects for the thermal insulation of apartment buildings and the modernization of internal heating systems and the reconstruction of heat distribution networks. The EBRD and the European Investment Bank will provide Moldova with loans of €143.5 million each to optimize and modernize the heat and power system in Chisinau. Overall, as part of the project to optimize Chisinau's heat and power system, with a total cost of more than €326 million, it is planned to install 2,510 individual heat distribution points and convert 1,665 apartment buildings to a horizontal heat distribution system. This will enable consumers to regulate their energy consumption independently and turn the heating on or off in their apartments. These measures will help reduce heat loss by up to 30%, lower costs for consumers, and reduce the negative impact on the environment by cutting carbon dioxide emissions. The funds will also be used to insulate buildings, renovate primary heating networks, and build two pumping stations. All measures are aimed at improving the efficiency, reliability, and quality of heating and hot water supply services. It is estimated that 300 thousand homes in the capital will benefit from this project. “We have a new project with free funding from our partners in the European Union that will benefit the citizens of Chisinau. Let us remind you that over the past six months, we have approved projects for the capital worth almost half a billion euros,” said Prime Minister Dorin Recean. The Ministry of Energy notes that the building sector accounts for about 50% of final energy consumption, so energy efficiency is a national priority. The completion of the project will significantly contribute to reducing costs for consumers, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 816 thousand tons, saving 4,600 MWh of primary energy over the next 20 years, and improving service quality. // 21.05.2025 — InfoMarket
