Promoting energy efficiency and renewable energies in Moldova

Context

Moldova can only meet one quarter of its energy needs with its own resources and is dependent on gas and oil imports from abroad. For this reason, the energy crisis resulting from Russia’s attack on Ukraine has had a particularly negative impact on Moldova’s citizens and economy: 60 per cent of the population is currently suffering from energy-related poverty due to the high cost of electricity and gas. Energy products have become more expensive, in some cases by more than 200 per cent, which is also affecting trade and industry.

Low diversification in the energy supply fosters these negative effects: over 90 per cent of (centralised) electricity and heat generation is based on natural gas. Although renewable energies account for 26 per cent of the total energy supply, this figure mainly relates to the use of firewood in homes. As a candidate for EU accession, Moldova is also obliged to implement extensive reforms in the energy sector in a very short space of time.

Objective

Moldova has better structures, processes and instruments in place to implement the energy efficiency and renewable energy objectives.

Approach

The project supports the Ministry of Energy, the National Centre for Sustainable Energy as well as municipal and other stakeholders in realising the ambitious goals set in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energies.

One focus is on residential buildings, which are responsible for over half of total energy consumption, as well as the state energy efficiency fund. Integrated specialists and experts support the national authorities at a personnel level, while a nationwide organized Learning Energy Efficiency Network (LEEN) provides assistance to municipal stakeholders with planning, designing and implementing bankable projects.

The project promotes international exchange and cooperation through study trips, peer exchange and a German administrative partnership. In order to facilitate the population’s access to state funding programmes, online platforms and information campaigns are being designed and implemented.

Last update: January 2024