An Energy and Biomass Project was launched in Glodeni district on January 10. By the end of the week, similar events will take place in Donduseni, Rascani and Soroca districts, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a press release from UNDP, which co-funds the project. The rural communities are encouraged to use this opportunity and install efficient biomass-based heating systems in public institutions. “The villages, which will participate in the contest, will undergo several selection stages, where they will have to prove that they have a safe supplier of straw packs, funds for the procurement of fuel, proper public buildings to be connected to straw-based heating systems, warehouses for straw packs, as well as the commitment and motivation of the community to have access to alternative sources of thermal energy,” said project manager Alexandru Ursul. In 2011, when the project was rolled out, projects aimed at installing biomass-based thermal systems in schools, kindergartens and health centres were started in 35 villages in eight districts of the Republic of Moldova. In 2012, the project will extend its scope to cover another 13 new districts, while by 2014, over 130 rural communities will have biomass-based energy systems, with a potential to replicate this experience countrywide. The Republic of Moldova depends on imported energy, with over 95% of the total volume of energy consumed being imported. The recent studies revealed that biomass is one of the most accessible alternative sources of energy, particularly straw and other cereal wastes. 700 thousand tons of straw remain every year on the Moldovan fields, which is equivalent to 250 million cubic meters of gas, or 25% of the annual consumption of the country. The Energy and Biomass Project in Moldova is a four-year project, implemented during 2011-2014. The total project budget amounts to €14.56 million, provided by the EU and UNDP Moldova.