Republic of Moldova

Energy and Biomass Project is Launching its Activities in Glodeni, Donduseni, Rascani and Soroca Rayons

January 10, 2012,Chisinau– Energy and Biomass Project was launched today in Glodeni rayon. Mayors, agricultural entrepreneurs, directors of public institutions from rayon villages attended the public introductory event for the Energy and Biomass Project, funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by UNDP Moldova. By the end of the week, similar events will take place Donduseni, Rascani and Soroca rayons.

Rural communities found out details about the conditions that need to be met in order to connect their schools, kindergartens, community centers, and other public institutions to biomass-based heating systems with the support of the Energy and Biomass Project. “All the rural communities are encouraged to harness the opportunity to install efficient biomass-based heating systems in public institutions. The villages participating at the competition will pass through several selection stages, during which they should prove the following: (1) a sound source for straw bales supply and financial resources for fuel purchasing, (2) existence of adequate public buildings to be connected to straw based heating systems, (3) existence of storage facilities to stock straw bales, (4) community commitment and motivation to access alternative thermal energy sources”, affirms Alexandru Ursul, Moldova Energy and Biomass Project Manager. 

In 2012, the Energy and Biomass Project will launch its activities in 13 new rayons: Donduseni, Floresti, Glodeni, Rascani, Soroca, Anenii Noi, Orhei, Rezina, Soldanesti, Ungheni, Basarabeasca, Cimislia, and Cahul. It is worth mentioning that in 2011, the first year of the Energy and Biomass Project implementation, 35 villages from 8 rayons of the Republic of Moldova (Stefan Voda, Leova, Cantemir, Hancesti, Telenesti, Sangerei, Falesti, and ATU Gagauz Yeri) started up projects for installing biomass-based heating systems in schools, kindergartens, and health centers with the project’s financial project. As a result, 42 public buildings will be heated with biomass-based energy, over 18.000 persons, of which 8542 children will benefit directly from the new energy source. 

The Energy and Biomass Project will be active in all the rayons of the Republic of Moldova and will offer numerous benefits for rural communities. By 2014, over 130 rural communities will have sound and sustainable systems of biomass-based energy supply, with potential to be replicated in the whole country. The local energy security and the thermal comfort of many schools, kindergartens, health and community centers will be increased. At the same time, new jobs will be created as a result of establishing new distribution channels for biomass-based fuel at local level, thus contributing to ensuring new income sources and reducing poverty in rural areas.

Republic of Moldova is dependent on energy imports; over 95% of the country’s energy needs (fossil fuels) are imported. The use of renewable energy sources is one of the solutions that can diminish Moldova’s energy dependency. Recent studies show that biomass, especially straw and other cereal wastes, is one of the most secure and easily accessible sources of alternative energy. Annually, over 700 thousand tons of straw remain on our fields, which is equivalent, under energy aspect, to 250 million cubic meters of natural gas or about 25% of country’s annual consumption.

Moldova Energy and Biomass Project is a 4 year project implemented during 2011-2014. The total project budget is 14.56 million euro, granted by the European Union (14 million euro) and UNDP Moldova (560,000 Euro).

For more information:
Alexandru Ursul, Energy and Biomass Project Manager, Tel: (+373 69)226595, alexandru.ursul@undp.org
Ina Prisăcaru-Zglavuţă, Communication and Media Officer, Energy and Biomass Project, Tel: (+373 69)141006, ina.zglavuta@undp.org