Energy efficiency in figures: 50,000 ecovouchers issued and home renovation projects

Nearly 50,000 ecovouchers have been issued to date in the Republic of Moldova, giving citizens the opportunity to replace old household appliances with new, more energy-efficient ones. Other measures target energy efficiency support and the development of renewable energy sources. Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu made the statements during 360 Degrees program.

According to the minister, approximately 4,000 ecovouchers were awarded and redeemed during the latest session alone. The program allows beneficiaries to replace outdated household equipment, such as washing machines and stoves, with more energy-efficient appliances.


“In total, to date, we are approaching 50,000 ecovouchers issued and provided to citizens, which have enabled them to replace their old, highly energy-inefficient household equipment with new equipment,” said Dorin Junghietu.


Another measure mentioned by the official is the temporary removal, for a period of 20 months, of VAT and import duties on battery energy storage systems. The minister believes that this incentive could encourage investment in such equipment. Dorin Junghietu said that the newly installed capacities had helped maintain electricity prices amid the energy deficit in the region.


“The installed capacities helped us significantly during the summer. Because of the lack of energy or the energy deficit in the region, they helped us keep energy prices from rising,” the official explained.


In the field of energy efficiency, the authorities have signed contracts for the renovation of 53 individual houses and eight apartment buildings. Work is also under way at two medical institutions: the Neurology Hospital and the Psychiatric Hospital.

However, the minister acknowledged that project implementation is being slowed by the limited number of companies available to carry out the works.


“Here, the services market, the market for energy-efficiency projects, is, I would say, still in its early stages. The availability of contractors and builders is one of the factors preventing the implementation of more projects in parallel,” Dorin Junghietu said.


Projects experiencing delays also include the tender for the installation of 55 megawatts of capacity at Termoelectrica. The procedure was effectively cancelled in the second stage after the company expected to be declared the winner could no longer extend its offer due to changes in market prices. According to the minister, the Ministry of Energy is working with the World Bank to reformulate and relaunch the tender within a shorter timeframe.


“Our colleagues at the World Bank are open to ensuring that this project, which is important for Chișinău and for the national electricity system, moves forward,” said Dorin Junghietu.


These measures are part of the review of the Government’s first 100 days in office, during which the Ministry of Energy identified approximately 15 actions that it intends to include in its activity report.