A program for financing the works to rehabilitate the centralized heating systems in Moldova’s towns, funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), was presented in a workshop held at the Ministry of Economy, IPN reports.

According to a communiqué from the Ministry, in the opening of the workshop Deputy Minister of Economy Tudor Copaci said that one of the program’s objectives is to reduce the energy intensity to a level competitive with that in the EU member states. “It is worrisome that about 1/3 of the average revenues of the end-users in Moldova is spent on energy resources. That’s why we take definite steps, with the support of the development partners, to reduce the impact of charges on consumers,” stated Tudor Copaci.

According to Johan Fredholm, operational leader at the EBRD, the bank and other donors have an increased interest in this sector because it is crucial for Moldova.

Besides the municipality of Chisinau, centralized heating systems exist in 12 towns, namely Balti, Ungheni, Comrat, Cahul, Calarasi, Orhei, Anenii Noi, Glodeni, Stefan Voda, Criuleni, Cimislia, and Taraclia.