Republic of Moldova

Other 18 villages will connect their public institutions to the biomass-based heating systems with the financial support from the European Union

8 November 2011, Chisinau –Other 18 villages will connect their public institutions to the biomass-based heating systems with the financial support from the European Union

18 villages from Hancesti, Telenesti, Sangerei and Falesti districts will connect their public institutions to the biomass-based heating systems with the support of the  Moldova Energy and Biomass Project, funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in Moldova.

Thus, 14 schools and 6 kindergartens will be heated during the winter time with energy produced from agricultural wastes. As a result, 20 public rural institutions will pay for heat on average 2-3 times less, saved money being reinvested in the development of these institutions.  

These 18 villages represent the second round of rural communities selected this year for accessing renewable energy sources within the Moldova Energy and Biomass Project (MEBP).  All in all, 35 rural communities have been selected this year to connect their public institutions to the modern biomass-based heating systems. Thanks to the new energy sources, more than 18.000 persons will increase their heating comfort.

In 2011, Moldova Energy and Biomass Project organized activities at community level in Stefan Voda, Leova, Cantemir, Hancesti, Telenesti, Sangerei, Falești districts and TAU Gagauz Yeri.  By 2014, the Energy and Biomass Project will cover all districts of the Republic of Moldova – all in all, at least 130 rural public institutions will be connected to the heating systems based on agricultural waste, especially straw. The biggest part of the costs incurred for the installation of the heating systems shall be covered by the project, while the community will contribute with at least 15% of the total cost.

The rural communities were selected based on pre-established criteria through a gradual, competitive, and transparent process. Public meetings were organized in every district to create awareness about Moldova Energy and Biomass Project and to encourage the rural communities to connect their public institutions to efficient straw-based heating systems. The villages participating in the competition were selected based on the following criteria: (1) secure source of straw balers’ supply as well as available financial resources for fuel procurement, (2) existence of adequate public buildings to be connected to straw-based heating systems, (3) existence of storage facilities to store the straw balers, and (4) community’s commitment and motivation to access the alternative heating energy sources.

The project proposals from rural communities were evaluated by the MEBP Selection Committee, which includes representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Regional Development and Constructions, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, Energy Efficiency Agency, UNDP and the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.

The Moldova Energy and Biomass Project will be implemented during 2011-2014. Its total budget is 14,56 million euro, granted by the European Union (14 million euro) and UNDP Moldova (560.000 euro).

For more information:
Ina Prisăcaru-Zglavuţă, Communication and Mass-Media Specialist, Energy and Biomass Project, Tel: (+373 69)141006, ina.zglavuta@undp.org