Production of energy from alternative sources attracts more young people

More and more young people go to work in the sector of production of energy from alternative sources, said Oleg Donoaga, chairman of the Public Association for Promoting Biofuel in Moldova. He said in an interview that there are many persons interested in this sector as the business is interesting, but rather costly – about €30,000-40,000 for the start, Info-Prim Neo reports. ”UNDP Moldova and the European Union help us. The Government created the Energy Efficiency Fund that will be of assistance to the producers. Standards on renewable energy are being worked out. In several years, we will have a normative platform similar to that of the EU and this will enable us to develop this industry,” said Oleg Donoaga. Ion Muntean, who was awarded at the Moldova Eco Energetica 2012 Gala for the Best Initiative of Public Communication and Awareness, launched a blog where he places relevant information. “This blog is for the young people who navigate through the Internet a lot, for the Moldovans who work abroad to earn money and to return home in order to start a business, and for the potential investors in the energy sector. The public institutions have websites. They inform about the novelties. But in order to form an opinion about the business climate for example or about the investment opportunities, they need something else. An opinion expressed by a person outside the governmental institution counts. I even receive letters from those who read the posted information. They ask for new details. This means that the blog is useful,” said Ion Muntean. Valeriu Damaschin, another author who took part in the Moldova Eco Energetica 2012 Gala, said that he managed to heat a house only with the energy of the earth and underground waters. Another house was outfitted with photovoltaic panels that produce 10 kilowatts of power. “The owner of the house can sell it to the power distribution company. I also designed a project that enables to heat houses without using gas or coal,” said Valeriu Damaschin. According to him, there is enough potential to achieve the objectives set in the Energy Strategy – to produce 20% of the used energy from renewable sources and to save another 20% by implementing energy efficiency projects. Moldova Eco Energetica is organized by the Ministry of Economy and the Agency for Energy Efficiency on the initiative of the Moldova Energy and Biomass Project, which is financed by the European Union and co-financed and implemented by UNDP. Ion Scaleshki, press officer of the Agency for Energy Efficiency, said the 11 awardees will be able to benefit from different equipment or from energy audit and consultancy services to the value of about €1,000. The winners this year are: Best Project in Solar Energy: Ecowatt Impex SRL; Best Project in Wind Energy: Technical University of Moldova; Best Project in Geothermal Energy: Sergiu Cocarla; Best Project in Biomass Energy: Agrobiobrichet SRL; Best Project in Biogas Energy: Vasile Moraru; Best Energy Efficiency Project in the Public Sector: Public Hospital from Orhei; Best Energy Efficiency Project in the Private Sector: Laiola SRL; Best Initiative of Public Communication and Awareness: Ion Muntean; Best Educational Initiative: Technical University of Moldova, Chisinau; Best Initiative of the Youth: Gutta Club.