The project to ensure energy efficiency and to thermally rehabilitate buildings in Chisinau was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, but solutions were found to overcome the difficulties. The disruption of the importation of materials for this project was the biggest problem. The contractors managed to bring the largest part of the materials during the pandemic, Ala Mîrza, adviser to the mayor general of Chisinau, stated in IPN’s public debate “Project of energy efficiency and thermal rehabilitation of buildings in Chisinau – current stage, results and future plans”.
“This project coincided with two major events: the war in Ukraine that disputed the logistics chain for delivering the materials needed by the contactors and the pandemic that generated price rises. The contractor that performs now work at hospitals reoriented itself to other markets situated closer. The created situation generated additional costs. Regrettably, we do not produce building materials in Moldova... The situation on our country’s borders and the disruption of the traditional logistics chains affected not only out project, but also other projects,” stated the adviser.
Most of the buildings covered by the project are social facilities. These are old-type buildings that are not adjusted and cannot ensure savings. “The largest kindergartens, schools were chosen in each district of Chisinau. Thermal insulation and ensuring of energy efficiency in the residential sector are much more complex processes. The maintenance costs are now much larger and such projects are welcome. We are waiting for the first updated data. We will see the bills for the 14 lyceums and five kindergartens that form part of this project,” noted Ala Mîrza.
The list of buildings that are in need of rehabilitation is much longer. “In the municipality of Chisinau, there are about 300 buildings that need to be included in a multiannual program. In the immediate period, we will need to identify a multiannual financing mechanism for different facilities,” said the adviser.
Ala Mîrza said there are backers interested in such projects, but the money that can be invested is lent and needs to be repaid. The meeting of the time limits is very important, primarily in such projects.
The budget of the project is €25 million. It is implemented by the Chisinau City Hall with the financial participation of the development partners: the EBRD (€10 million loan), the EIB (€10 million loan) and the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership E5P (€5 million grant).
