The most successful projects to use renewable energy and increase energy efficiency were awarded at the fifth Moldova Eco-Energetica Gala. The director of the Energy Efficiency Agency Mihai Stratan said these were selected out of 76 projects that were presented by public institutions, enterprises and private individuals.
Among the awarded projects is the one presented by the nursery school “Tereza Sobolevschi” of Ungheni town, which was nominated in the eco-responsible stories category. The nursery has perseveringly implemented renewable energy projects. In 2013 it implemented a project to set up solar panels in concert with the Moldova Social Investment Fund. As a result, its costs for the consumed energy fell by 40%, while the 360 children and ten employees of the kindergarten benefit from energy and hot water throughout the year.
The Chisinau-based International Management Institute received the award for the best photovoltaic solar energy project, the Chisinau limited liability company Fidesco – for the best thermal energy project, while SRL Vogoener of Orhei - for the best biofuel production project.
There were also presented awards for energy efficiency in different sectors of the economy, for the best communication initiative, for the best youth initiative and for the best education initiative. Twenty awards were conferred overall. The authors of the projects received special trophies, diplomas and money awards of €1,000.
Acting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Stephane Cristophe Bride said that 65 projects chosen out of about 200 were awarded during the five Moldova Eco-Energetica Galas held so far. “This shows that both the public sector and the private one invest money in such projects,” he stated, noting that Moldova supports the EU’s objective to ensure that about 20% of the consumed energy is produced from renewable sources of energy by 2020 as Moldova has potential in this regard, especially as regards biomass.
EU Ambassador to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola appreciated the efforts made by Moldova to improve the quality of life, which were supported by the EU. “These efforts can produce results and can be successful only when all the players become engaged: the consumers who want to optimize the use of energy and the entrepreneurs who propose ideas and initiatives in support of this process,” he stated.
“Real reforms are done when the people, the private sectors and civil society launch initiatives to complement the Government’s efforts to reform the energy sector. The success stories that we award at this Gala are an impressive proof of these joint efforts. I congratulate and thank the winners who made the change in the homes, institutions and their communities by switching to renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency of buildings, who promote a healthy lifestyle and inspire other people to live in harmony with nature,” said Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Moldova.
The competition Moldova Eco Energetica is organized by the Energy Efficiency Agency in partnership with the Moldova Energy and Biomass Project that is financed by the EU and is implemented by UNDP Moldova. The next year’s competition will be launched on March 5, 2016.
