A biomass energy cluster was established on March 24, following Romania’s model, to promote the development of the biomass energy sector through advocacy, research, international cooperation. Twenty-three organizations got together to boost biomass energy sector, with the support of the European Union. The cluster will embrace private companies, public authorities, research institutions, universities, active associations of green energy sector, IPN reports.
The goal of the EU funded Energy and Biomass Project is to ensure the establishment of a sustainable biomass market in the Republic of Moldova. The creation of this cluster is a new step in the reinforcement of biomass market in the Republic of Moldova and will favor further successful development of this sector, said Alexandre Darras, Attaché, Project Manager at the EU Delegation.
Denis Tumuruc, head of the Energy Efficiency Policy Division of the Ministry of Economy, said a communication platform is created between all the involved players. “In 2010, there were about ten biomass producers, but now the figure stands at approximately 80,” he stated, adding that the EU helped to establish the basis of this industry and supported its development. A year ago, the turnover in this sector totaled over 130 million lei.
Head of Leova district Ion Gudumac signed for the establishment of the cluster, but said that he had both positive and negative experiences in implementing biomass projects. Sometimes the price of fuel is by 20% higher than the alternative with gas and the solution then is not sustainable economically. The state should become involved more in this sector.
Manager of the business incubator in Cimislia Olga Postovanu said this cluster has among members both authorities and representatives of the academic and business communities and this is its advantage. There will be a place where all the information about biomass production will be available. The business incubator in Cimislia will promote this sector among the vocational schools so that new businesses are started. Many schools and kindergartens in Cimislia have biomass boilers and there are several biomass producers in this district. There is potential and such businesses can be developed.
Moldova has to achieve the target of 17% of energy produced from renewable sources by 2020. According to the data of 2015, about 14.2% of the energy was produced from renewable sources. The Moldova Energy and Biomass Project is a seven-year project implemented during the period 2011 - 2017. The project’s aim is to contribute to the production of safe, competitive and sustainable biomass energy, the most viable and accessible renewable energy source in the Republic of Moldova. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Program.
