Warming homes, cooling bills: Moldova's heating revolution
Tackling exorbitant energy costs and ambitious sustainability goals, Moldova is embarking on a transformative journey of building efficiency upgrades.
Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov has declared "optimising building performance a paramount undertaking for 2024."
"Over half of our national energy consumption is devoured by building operations," Parlicov emphasised. "On average, we splurge twice as much energy per square metre compared to the European Union benchmark. Imagine the potential savings if we bridged this gap!"
To bridge this gap, Moldova is making a strategic move: metamorphosing the Energy Efficiency Agency into the National Center for Sustainable Energy (NCSE) on January 1, 2024. This shift pivots from information dissemination to financial empowerment, equipping the NCSE to drive tangible change.
"The NCSE will be our vanguard in the fight against skyrocketing energy bills," declared Parlicov. "We'll unleash national funding programs, subsidise essential building improvements, and empower households to embrace energy-efficient appliances."
Leading the charge are 30 pilot projects across the country. These buildings will receive over 50% of their renovation costs covered by government grants, encompassing initiatives like transitioning to horizontal heat distribution systems and bolstering insulation.
But the NCSE's vision extends beyond bricks and mortar. It aims to transform homes as well, with a planned program to replace outdated appliances with eco-friendly alternatives. The pilot phase, targeting vulnerable families, will pave the way for a nationwide rollout.
Translation by Iurie Tataru