Thermoenergy sector restructuring project to be presented in autumn

A project to restructure the thermoenergy sector of Moldova, devised with the support of the World Bank, will be made known in autumn, Deputy Minister of Education responsible for the energy sector Ilarion Popa announced in the meeting of the Energy Security Commission on July 22, Info-Prim Neo reports. The official said that effort is made in parallel to ensure the energy security and diversify the sources of energy. There were made feasibility studies for building the interconnection power line Balti (Moldova) – Suceava (Romania) and the gas pipeline Ungheni (Moldova) – Iasi (Romania). Ilarion Popa informed that there was created the Energy Efficiency Agency and approved budget support for energy efficiency to the value of €42 million for three years. Recently, the Government approved the plan of action for implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Attending the meeting, Prime Minister Vlad Filat instructed hastening the updating of the energy strategy until 2015 by taking into account the possible results of the renewable energy projects. He said that high-ranking EBRD and EIB officials are expected to come to Chisinau in autumn to discuss the possibility of financing energy projects. The European Commissioner for Energy will also visit Moldova. The Premier also said the Government will soon have an adviser on energy matters. According to the information presented by Minister of Education Valeriu Lazar, the debts in the energy sector accumulated during several years total over 2 billion lei.