A system of photovoltaic panels was installed on the roof of the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Moldova, with the support of the U.S. Agency for International Development. These panels will reduce electricity consumption by at most 15% at the first stage. Subsequently, the project will be extended and the reduction of energy costs will be around 45%, IPN reports.
Adrian Băluțel, President Maia Sandu’s chief of staff, said that the head of state and the entire team, from the first day of the mandate, have made efforts to reduce administrative costs. This means saving public money and, respectively, more resources that remain to be used for the benefit of citizens.
“With the support of USAID and other international partners, but also through the very active policy of the Ministry of Energy, we have sought to popularize energy saving and the adoption of ECO energy efficiency measures. We hope that this project at the Presidential Palace will encourage even more public institutions and also entrepreneurs to adopt energy efficiency measures. And this is because in a kindergarten, in a hospital or in a town hall, 20-40% savings on electricity means money that can go on high-performance equipment, projects for the citizens, etc.” stated Adrian Băluțel.
Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov said that the Republic of Moldova is a country where about 75% of the energy resources are imported. The country has no oil, no gas, no coal, as is the case with neighboring countries. Under these conditions, renewable energy is the only option through which Moldova can contribute competitively to integration into a regional market is. It is necessary to reduce dependence on energy imports, and the state has assumed that by 2030, 30% of electricity will come from renewable resources. In 2023, consumers installed twice as many photovoltaic panels as in the previous five years.
Mission Director for USAID Moldova Jeff Bryan said that the system of photovoltaic panels installed on the Presidential Building is an example that they want to multiply at other public institutions in Moldova. “Investments in the energy security of the Republic of Moldova represent investments in a democratic, prosperous and safe future for the people of Moldova. Russia’s brutal war of aggression in Ukraine showed that dependence on Russian energy resources threatened national security and economic stability. Energy from renewable sources is an essential element for a clean and secure energy future of the Republic of Moldova. By adopting these forms of clean and safe energy, the President’s Office is setting an example to be followed,” stated Jeff Bryan.
In total, 114 photovoltaic panels with the capacity of 62 KW were installed on the side buildings of the Presidential Palace It is estimated that the panels will generate 70,000 KW/h of clean energy annually.