Local Communities in Moldova Take a Step Forward in Energy Efficiency: Information Seminar on Educational Institutions Refurbishment Held in Chisinau!

An Information Seminar on the Energy Efficiency Refurbishment of Educational Institutions in Local Communities project took place at Jolly Alon Hotel, Chisinau, gathering representatives from NEFCO, the Ministry of Energy, municipal leaders, and project implementers. The event served as a platform to discuss the project's objectives, financing mechanisms, and next steps, which aim to modernize educational institutions in Anenii Noi, Carbuna, Mindresti, and Zubresti through energy-efficient solutions.

The project, funded by the Nordic Environmental Finance Corporation (NEFCO) with co-financing from the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P), is implemented with the technical support of Norsk Energi (Norway) and the Alliance for Energy Efficiency and Renewables (AEER, Moldova).

The seminar featured presentations from NEFCO, the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), and representatives of the beneficiary municipalities, outlining the project’s impact on local energy efficiency, financial sustainability, and educational infrastructure improvements.

Vitaly Artyushchenko, Chief Investment Advisor at NEFCO, emphasized the importance of this initiative for Moldovan communities, reiterating that in addition to economic and environmental benefits, the project also contributes to creating a more comfortable and safe educational environment, supporting the sustainable development of local communities and promoting social responsibility towards energy resources.

"We consider working with municipalities to be very effective because, in this way, we identify your direct needs, and resources are directed to effective projects. In the following, you will have all the support to easily go through all stages, from design to implementation, in a timely manner," concluded Mr. Vitaly Artyushchenko.

The State Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Ms. Carolina Novac, emphasized that the Ministry prioritizes energy efficiency and security by creating an organizational and financial framework for the energy rehabilitation of residential buildings. At the same time, she welcomed the intentions of this project, which include accessible financing mechanisms, support for thermal insulation, modernization of heating systems, and the use of renewable sources. Investments in energy efficiency will reduce energy consumption, population bills, and environmental impact while stimulating the economy and strengthening the country's energy security.

“It is important in this context to have this mechanism for financing energy efficiency projects for the residential sector. For example, the Financing Program for the Energy Efficiency Fund in the Residential Sector of Moldova (FEERM) allows us to now focus on longer-term priorities, such as energy efficiency in buildings, which are responsible for about half of the country's energy consumption. By investing through this fund in the energy efficiency of buildings, we will help the population reduce their energy bills and emissions and come up with more investments that will boost other sectors of the economy," emphasized Carolina Novac.

A detailed presentation by Sergei Faschevsky, Team Leader at Norsk Energi, focused on the importance of structured project preparation to maximize financial and environmental benefits:
"An effective project implementation starts with careful preparation. This is why our support covers everything from business planning and grant applications to procurement and administration of contracts. We ensure that every euro invested maximizes energy savings and environmental benefits with long-term effects on indoor climate in educational institutions and on comfortable conditions for pupils and teachers. Our team combines modern Scandinavian experience with multi-building energy retrofit projects and deep insides of the local context in Moldova. "

As part of the seminar, representatives from the four participating communities presented their local challenges and proposed energy efficiency measures:

The City of Anenii Noi highlighted the need to modernize heating systems and improve school insulation.
The Village of Carbuna proposed installing energy-efficient lighting and upgrading windows to improve indoor climate conditions.
The Village of Mindresti focused on integrating renewable energy solutions like solar panels.
The Village of Zubresti outlined plans for comprehensive refurbishment, including insulation and ventilation system upgrades.

The mayor of Carbuna, Cecoi Constantin, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting the long-term benefits for both students and the local administration:
"The opportunity to implement this project to improve the energy efficiency of the "Red Riding Hood" Kindergarten in the village of Cărbuna will have the positive impact of reducing energy consumption by 100% through the use of renewable resources and reducing fossil fuel by 60%, which will generate financial savings of up to approximately lei 150,000 annually."

Similarly, the Mayor of Mindresti, Oxana Guzun, emphasized the importance of renewable energy integration:
"Since 2022, we have been signatories to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, committing to reducing CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030. In this context, the opportunity provided by NEFCO is essential because by implementing energy efficiency measures in public institutions, thermal insulation of buildings, cand hanging lighting systems, favorable conditions are created for achieving these objectives. In addition, the financing conditions proposed within this project also motivate us to have a history of success in achieving the proposed objectives."

The event concluded with an open discussion on roles, responsibilities, and reporting mechanisms, followed by a networking lunch that allowed participants to engage in more informal conversations about the project's potential impact.

This energy efficiency initiative will become a cornerstone in Moldova's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and modernize its educational infrastructure. As the project moves forward, it promises to bring about significant energy savings and enhance the learning environment for students across the participating communities.

For more information about the project and its progress, visit www.energi.no and www.aeer.md.