Drought leaves households who heat themselves with pellets without fuel

Last year’s drought affected the production of biofuel. The settlements where there are heat stations working on pellets cannot find fuel for them. The Energy Efficiency Agency assures that Moldova has potential for heat stations with biofuel and problems appeared only after a very dry year, Info-Prim Neo reports. There are eight such stations in Hancesti district. The district authorities said they remained practically without fuel. They announced a tender for buying pellets, but nobody applied. The price increased, but the biofuel cannot be obtained even if the people are ready to pay more. Ion Scaletchi, who is responsible for communication at the Energy Efficiency Agency, has told Info-Prim Neo that owing to the drought of 2012, the straw used as biomass was very small and it was hard to collect it. Also, the demand for pellets was higher as a result of the energy efficiency projects launched in the country. The heat stations working on biofuel cannot use other type of fuel. “No other fuels can be used, but there will be pellets,” said Ion Scaletchi. The representatives of the Energy Efficiency Agency are convinced that Moldova can ensure the necessary biofuel. Energy efficiency programs that can obtain financing will continue to be proposed. In Moldova there are over 100 heat stations working on biofuel. Some of the projects were completed, while others are under implementation. Most of the heat stations working on biofuel are situated in Stefan-Voda district – nine. In Hacesti district there are eight such stations.