European Union launches three projects on energy efficiency in Moldova

18:19 | 12.02.2015 Category: Economic

Chisinau, 12 February /MOLDPRES/ - Three European Union-funded projects in energy efficiency and renewable energy development were launched in Chisinau today. The projects will be implemented in five districts.

The three grants provided within the Sustainable Urban Demonstration Projects (SuDEP) will be used for carrying out projects on renewable energy and public buildings energy efficiency, sustainable energy development and modernising and saving street lighting energy. The grants’ direct beneficiaries will be towns of Ungheni, Orhei, Ocnita, Soroca and Cantemir.

The projects’ cost is 3 million euros, of which 20 per cent represent the contribution of concerned communities.

“Due to lack of own energy sources, the energy efficiency and sustainable development of the energy sector in Moldova is a strategic priority, therefore, the support provided by EU is extremely important,” acting Economics Minister Valeriu Triboi said. Triboi added that the launch by the European Commission of the programme supporting towns in eastern and southern neighbourhood of EU would help settlements to face local sustainable development challenges, such as energy efficiency and energy supply security.

Triboi said the energy consumption by the national economy and households in Moldova is great; as a result, the energy intensity is three-fold higher than in the EU states. Technologies and equipment are morally and technically used-up, whereas the industrial and residential constructions are under the critical level as to the energy performance.

A kindergarten from Ungheni, attended by 375 children, will be restored with EU money. In Orhei, the district heating system will be modernised, whereas modern and energy efficient street illuminating networks will be set and modernised in Ocnita, Soroca and Cantemir.

The above-mentioned towns committed to reduce by 20 per cent at least the greenhouse gas emissions, by implementing action plans on sustainable energy.

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