First EU-funded biomass laboratory opens at vocational school in Moldovan capital

Chisinau, 3 March /MOLDPRES/- A technical laboratory for biomass boilers operators was inaugurated for the first time ever at the vocational school No 3, in Chisinau, within the Energy and Biomass Project (phase 2).

The laboratory connects to the heating system through renewable resources and is endowed with real-time functioning biomass boilers built on different technologies. Besides theoretical knowledge, students will also be able to learn how to use biomass appliances.

During the event, Deputy Education Minister Cristina congratulated students on the inauguration of the modern laboratory.

Attending the event was also United Nations Development Programme Deputy Resident Representative Narine Sahakyan. She said Moldova’s dependence on importing other countries’ energy was causing trouble to its energy security. “Authorities must mobilize, in order to use, promote and develop the alternative energy resources market, including biomass. While Moldova is currently using only 13 per cent of its renewable energy resources, we decided to offer the necessary support and help it use more than 17 per cent of it in 2016. Moldova has a great renewable energy potential and there is no need to import biomass when you already have your local resources,” Sahakyan said.

The Energy and Biomass Project (phase 2) is being implemented in Moldova during 2015-2017.  Its total budget accounts for 9.41 million euros, the money being offered by the EU.

New educational courses on biomass energy have been launched in three Moldovan vocational schools since 2015, to supply the number of experts in the energy sector. Approximately 167 public institutions and almost 1,000 households are currently using biomass heating systems.

(Reporter P. Beregoi, Editor A. Raileanu)