“The Government’s inaction in relation to Termoelectrica could lead to the disruption of heat supply in Chisinau in the autumn, unless there is emergency intervention in the repair and modernization of the heating infrastructure”, warned Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban.
According to the mayor, due to the lack of major investments, the production equipment at the cogeneration plants (known as CETs) has gotten out of condition, leading to disruptions, low efficiency, and huge losses. “If you do not start repairing them immediately, not only will Chisinau be left without heat in the autumn, but the rates can increase again, by up to four times”, warns Ion Ceban.
The mayor notes that the utility Termoelectrica has a project to develop the energy sector, with the support of the World Bank. The loan agreement was signed on 30 September 2020, the project entered into force on 29 March 2021, and will be completed by 31 December 2025. The project is estimated at 92 million euros. “The beneficiaries of the project are the population of Chisinau who live in residential blocks and the houses that will be connected to the project. The CETs were supposed to start being rehabilitated by now, but no finger was moved in this incompetent government”, remarked Ion Ceban.
The mayor says that, in case of a shutdown at CETs, the company can be fined 132,000 lei per hour or 3.2 million lei in 24 hours. At the same time, the loss or suspension of heating supply could lead to fines of 447 million lei. “The implementation of these projects is vital not only for Termoelectrica, but also for the entire national electricity system and for the municipality of Chisinau. And the losses in the event of failure to implement the project can amount to 705 million lei annually, which will inevitably lead to a substantial increase in rates”, warns the mayor.
CET-1 provides 73% of the heat supplied in Chisinau.