Over 1,600 apartment buildings in Chisinau will switch to a horizontal heat distribution system and individual metering. As a result, consumers in these blocks will have the opportunity to connect and disconnect the heat in apartments and will be able to independently regulate energy consumption. The Government approved the ratification of the loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the implementation of the project "Optimization of Chisinau District Heating System", IPN reports.

Constantin Borosan, secretary of state of the Ministry of Energy, said that this initiative represents a decisive step towards improving the capital city’s heating infrastructure, being a strategic decision that will bring economic, social and environmental benefits in the long term.

According to him, the project provides for a radical modernization of the heating system in Chisinau by installing 2,510 individual heating points, switching 1,665 apartment buildings to a horizontal heat distribution system. 57 pilot projects for thermal insulation of the selected blocks will be carried out. The thermal energy networks will be rehabilitated and two pumping stations will be built.

"The goal is not only to improve energy efficiency, but also to improve the comfort of citizens by implementing individual metering that will allow each consumer to manage resources more efficiently, according to their own needs," said Constantin Borosan.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will lend €143.5 million to Moldova to modernize the biggest district heating supplier in Chisinau. The EBRD loan will be matched by a parallel €143.5 million loan from the European Investment Bank, as well as investment grants of €24.5 million from the European Union’s Neighborhood Investment Program, and €15 million from the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Program (E5P). The total value of the project is €326 million.