The new programme, entitled “Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis in the Republic of Moldova”, is designed to strengthen both the ability of the Government and the energy sector to review and improve core functioning processes and coordination mechanisms. These measures are essential to support Moldova’s efforts to implement key energy reforms, as well as to strengthen institutional capacity to respond to both the current and potential future energy shocks.
The programme will contribute to providing a standard definition for energy poverty in order to build the mechanisms needed to alleviate the energy burden faced by vulnerable groups in the Republic of Moldova.
“In the Republic of Moldova, energy poverty is a national issue that currently affects most of the Moldovans. Around 60% of households spend more than 10% of their budget on energy. This number is likely to increase next winter, as heating season will restart and global gas prices remain unpredictable. The problem of energy poverty, if left unaddressed, threatens to amplify vulnerability, creating long-term effects on Moldovan society and its economy,” noted Marcel Spatari, Minister of Labour and Social Protection.
The programme will also include a large-scale information campaign that will encourage homeowners to replace old home appliances with more energy-efficient models. The campaign will be complemented by the testing of targeted energy-efficient solutions and renewable technologies that can be used in energy-poor households. In addition, several blocks of flats will be equipped with horizontal heating distribution systems, and photovoltaic panel systems will be installed in at least three medical institutions, which will contribute to reducing energy costs.
“The new programme launched today demonstrates the European Union’s strong commitment to support the people of the Republic of Moldova to overcome the energy challenges. This ambitious programme will contribute to the energy security and energy independence of the Republic of Moldova. It will do so by increasing the capacity of the Government, by investing in renewable energy projects and by increasing awareness of the population about energy efficiency and its benefits. It will also have a positive impact on the environment, through the implemented energy efficiency measures,” stated Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.
Furthermore, the programme envisages support for the transposition of the EU Third Energy Package into both primary and secondary legislation, as well as a series of Directives and Regulations of “Clean Energy for all Europeans” package, which addresses the energy performance of buildings, renewable energy, energy efficiency, good governance, and the design of the electricity market design.
“The launch of this joint EU-UNDP Programme intended to address Moldova’s current and emerging needs in terms of energy security and resilience is timely and critical. Spillovers from the war in Ukraine are affecting the Moldovan economy through a variety of channels, including a spike in energy prices, trade disruptions, adverse confidence effects and the indirect impact of sanctions. Our recent analysis shows that 60% of Moldova’s population live in energy poverty, spending more than 10% of their budgets on energy bills. The new programme will enable us to engage in the green energy transition by promoting energy efficiency and renewable solutions envisaged by the EU Green Deal,” said Mirjana Špoljarić Egger, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Europe and the CIS.
The new EUR 10 million programme “Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis in the Republic of Moldova” is a complementary support, in addition to the EUR 60 million, in the form of budget support, as emergency assistance to overcome the energy crisis and EUR 5 million for supporting the vulnerable population affected by the energy crisis, provided by the European Union. It supports the Moldovan public authorities and vulnerable groups in the context of prices’ increase for natural gas, which is leading to chain price escalations.
For more information: Laura Bohantova, Communications Analyst, UNDP Moldova, 068511883, laura.bohantova@undp.org
]]>According to the rules of the electricity market, the central electricity supplier, Energocom JSC, is the balancing group official, consisting of urban district heating power plants and eligible power plants that produce energy from renewable sources and have delegated the balancing responsibility to Energocom JSC. According to the data of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, in June 2022 were installed photovoltaic power plants with a capacity of almost 25 MW, wind plants with a capacity of 73.4 MW, biogas – 6.3 MW and hydro plants with a capacity of 16.3 MW.
According to the new market rules, which entered into force on 1 June 2022, electricity is no longer traded post factum according to the values actually recorded, but according to the values notified (forecasted) by the producers. Thus, the central electricity supplier has the task of managing the individual imbalances of the contracted producers. The energy procured for balancing is regulated separately and as its price is higher, impacts the final price for consumers.
The Acting General Director of Energocom JSC, Victor Bînzari, emphasizes that the company will craft a development strategy, as well as undertake other stringent measures to increase the energy security of the country, such as: diversification of electricity and gas suppliers, expanding supply activities on foreign markets, supporting local electricity producers to reduce imbalances etc.
With a budget of €10 million, the program „Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis in the Republic of Moldova“ is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP. It supports the public authorities of the Republic of Moldova and vulnerable groups in the context of the increase in natural gas prices. The project contributes to the reduction of energy vulnerability by encouraging the replacement of household appliances with new, more energy efficient ones, by supporting energy efficiency measures in blocks of flats and the installation of photovoltaic panels in several public buildings.
]]>The trainings were organised by the Energy Efficiency Agency, in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (MIRD) in several regions of the country and aimed at updating the knowledge of specialists that operate biomass boilers in public institutions.
The target group were the operators who have previously obtained the necessary qualifications and attended a professional training in the field of operating biomass boilers, which can be confirmed by a qualification certificate.
This activity is part of the MIRD plan to prevent and mitigate the impact of the energy crisis in case of limitation of natural gas supply and of the list of priorities for the development of the solid biomass market.
Thus, the operators studied the method of preparing the biomass boiler for the cold season, monitoring and supervision, servicing works, conservation at the end of the heating season, safety, and health rules at workplace.
In December, more than 100 biomass boilers operators were trained within the Excellence Centre in Construction and 100 biomass boilers in public institutions were inspected and verified by the experts of the “Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis in the Republic of Moldova” programme.
More than 300 solid biofuel thermal power plants are installed in public institutions in Moldova, with an installed capacity of about 70 MW. They can replace the consumption of up to 20 million m3 of natural gas per year, thus an amount of about 20 million dollars could remain in the country, at the disposal of local producers and GHG emissions will be reduced.
With a budget of €10 million, the “Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis in the Republic of Moldova” programme helps fight climate change by reducing the impact of the energy crisis and mitigating the burden of energy poverty.
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