The low absorption capacity of the local public authorities is one of the main barriers in the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Practically no major successful project was implemented with own forces by the local administration, these being almost all put into practice with the foreign donors’ support. The absence of experts in the field, who should be remunerated appropriately, is another problem, said participants in a debate staged by the Institute for European Policies and Reforms, IPN reports.
One of the projects financed by the EU, which supports the local public authorities in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy, is the Covenant of Mayors East whose, signatories implement the sustainable energy action plan to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020.
Victor Parlicov, national expert for Moldova within the Covenant of Mayors East, said the low money absorption capacity of the local public authorities is one of the main hindrances and authorities’ capacities should be thus consolidated. Another barrier derives from the private sector that does not know and does not have experience of working with the European norms and standards. “It is very hard to permanently ask and explain the European norms and modern requirements,” he stated.
Alexandru Săndulescu, of the EU High-Level Advisers’ Mission to Moldova, noted that when it goes to the energy efficiency sector, not much is said about the human resources. “It is a distinct job as a specialist in energy efficiency must know energy, the building side and installations and must be a good economist and know the legislation. It is a combination of areas and it is thus very hard to find an expert. The number of post-university courses, specialty and formation courses to train specialists in energy efficiency should be thus increased,” he stated, noting the correct remuneration of these specialists is also a problematic aspect.
Another aspect is related to the simplification of the procedures for approving, monitoring and checking projects as it takes a long period of time at present for a project to be ultimately financed given that this should go through four authorization commissions.
The debate “Development of Energy Efficiency Projects: green pact for the Republic of Moldova?” was organized by the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
