A program to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings, which will be later managed by the Energy Efficiency Agency, called Super ESCO, was launched on Friday. According to the Ministry of Energy, Moldova Super ESCO will help design the legal concept and plan how this financing mechanism will work in practice, using it in the case of at least two selected public buildings. About US$1 million worth of grant will be allocated for the purpose by USAID.
Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov said the Super ESCO model implemented by other countries shows that the investments in energy efficiency are recouped during several years by economizing on energy. Moldova spends two-three times more money to heat one square meter not because the energy resources are larger, but because it didn’t pay enough attention to energy efficiency. After the Super ESCO model is tested, it will be taken over by the Energy Efficiency Agency.
Energy Efficiency Agency director Ion Muntean said the size of the investments needed for ensuring the energy efficiency of public buildings is much higher than the budgetary system’s capacity to cover the current needs. Consequently, mechanisms and instruments to stimulate the attraction of private investments in the energy rehabilitation of public buildings are needed.
The money saved by economizing on energy resources will be directed to a special fund created by the Energy Efficiency Agency. The projects that bring the largest savings and the greatest energy comfort against the made investments will be given priority.
The program was launched by the Ministry of Energy with the assistance of USAID through the Moldova Energy Security Activity (MESA).
