EcoVoucher Programme: More than 3,300 families replaced old appliances with energy-efficient equipment

More than 3,300 families in the Republic of Moldova benefited from the Household Appliance Voucher Programme (EcoVoucher) during the sessions funded by the European Union and replaced old appliances with new, energy-efficient equipment between March and September 2026.

The beneficiary families purchased 1,578 refrigerators and 1,754 washing machines, using vouchers worth 6,000 lei, which covered up to 70% of the cost of the appliances. The refrigerators, including those with integrated freezers, had energy efficiency classes A, B, C and D, while the washing machines were rated class A according to the new energy label. All equipment met energy efficiency criteria and European conformity standards (CE).

Support was provided as a priority to families with minor children, households in which at least two people over the age of 63 live, and people with severe disabilities. Of the total beneficiaries, 2,322 were families with minor children, 598 were people over the age of 63, and 412 were people with severe disabilities.

The government-funded EcoVoucher Programme covered all districts of the Republic of Moldova, as well as the municipalities of Chișinău and Bălți and the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. In total, vouchers were issued to beneficiaries in more than 1,400 localities, representing 94% of all localities in the country, while households in more than 1,350 localities, or 91% of the localities in the Republic of Moldova, redeemed the vouchers.

The equipment purchased by beneficiary households during the sessions supported by the European Union is expected to generate annual savings of approximately 700,000 kWh of electricity, equivalent to around 2.6 million lei. These savings correspond to an estimated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 350 tons of CO₂ per year.


„Refrigerators and washing machines are the biggest energy consumers in a household, while old appliances are less energy-efficient, which is reflected in household bills. Through EcoVoucher, we help families replace them with more efficient equipment and save money in the long term. The energy label helps people compare appliance consumption and make choices based both on the purchase price and on operating costs. With the support of the European Union, we are making this equipment more accessible to the families most in need of support, so that energy efficiency can have a tangible impact on their household budgets,” said Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu.


To redeem the voucher, beneficiaries handed over a used appliance of the same type, which was collected and sent for recycling. In this way, the programme contributes to replacing high-energy-consumption equipment and to its responsible management after it is taken out of service.


„The results of the sessions carried out this year once again confirm that energy efficiency can bring concrete and immediate benefits to households. By replacing old appliances with energy-efficient equipment, families reduce their energy consumption and monthly expenses while also enjoying greater comfort. At the national level, these savings accumulate and contribute to more efficient use of energy resources. The results achieved since the programme was launched demonstrate the impact of a simple and accessible mechanism that can generate real savings for households and for the country,” said Ion Muntean, director of the National Centre for Sustainable Energy (CNED).


Through the EcoVoucher Programme, the European Union is supporting thousands of families in the Republic of Moldova in replacing outdated appliances with modern, energy-efficient ones.


„Every family deserves to have a comfortable home and access to energy at affordable prices, supplied safely and consistently. This support goes beyond immediate financial assistance: it contributes to reducing electricity consumption and household expenses in the long term. It is a concrete example of how European Union support is transformed into lasting benefits for citizens, especially those most in need of assistance,” said Iwona Piórko, EU Ambassador to Chișinău.


Since the launch of the EcoVoucher Programme, 43,366 large household appliances have been replaced, including 20,639 refrigerators and 22,691 washing machines. Replacing an old refrigerator with an energy class A model through the EcoVoucher Programme can generate estimated savings of approximately 160 lei per month, or 1,920 lei annually. Compared with the average consumption of beneficiary households, this could mean a reduction of around 16% in their electricity bill.

CNED data show that the energy savings generated over the entire operating life of the equipment replaced through the EcoVoucher Programme exceed 6.5 million kWh, equivalent to more than 24 million lei. At the same time, it is estimated that the more than 40,000 appliances installed since the beginning of the programme will generate annual savings of approximately 8.15 million kWh, or the equivalent of around 30.1 million lei. This corresponds to a potential reduction in emissions of approximately 4,075 tons of CO₂ per year.

The Household Appliance Voucher Programme was developed by the Government of the Republic of Moldova with the support of the European Union and is implemented by CNED. The 2026 sessions were carried out under the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for Moldova (E4M) project, implemented by GIZ together with the Government of the Republic of Moldova, with funding from the Government of Germany and co-financing from the EU, Norway and Denmark.