Modernization works for district heating systems of Chisinau, Balti cities to be declared projects of national public utility

The modernization works for the district heating systems of Chisinau and Balti, which are to be carried out within two projects financed with the support of development partners, will be declared projects of national public utility. The Government today approved decisions to this effect.

The documents concern the works carried out within the projects, Optimization of the Centralized District Heating System in Chisinau Municipality and The District Heating System of Balti Municipality (CET-Nord JSC), Phase II.”

At the cabinet meeting, Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu said that the decisions approved today were necessary, given that the works are currently facing a deadlock.

“Energy legislation allows the modernization of heating systems, but interventions involving the common areas and installations of apartment buildings may be conditional on getting the owners’ consent. Given the scale of these investments, the procedure could significantly delay the works. We are talking about more than 1,700 residential buildings in Chisinau and approximately 300 buildings in Balti. Without a clear legal solution, we risk exceeding the implementation deadlines and failing to comply with the commitments undertaken under the financing agreement. The proposed projects establish a temporary regime for access and for carrying out the works strictly necessary for modernization. They apply exclusively to the interventions provided for under the two investment projects. Ownership rights remain with the owners, while access will be limited to the property and works necessary for the duration of the interventions, with the least possible impact on residents. Owners will be informed in advance, and any damage caused by the works will be fully compensated. The investments are financed from external sources through loan and grant agreements ratified by the parliament,” Dorin Junghietu said.

The project to be implemented in Chisinau involves a radical modernization of the capital’s district heating system through the installation of 2,510 individual heating substations, the conversion of 1,665 residential buildings to a horizontal heat distribution system, the implementation of 57 pilot thermal insulation projects for selected buildings, the rehabilitation of primary heating networks and the construction of two pumping stations. The project has a total value of 326 million euros, of which 143 million euros are provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The initiative is also supported by the European Investment Bank and grants provided by the European Union, the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership and the European Union’s Neighbourhood Investment Platform.

The modernization of the district heating system from Balti includes the installation of individual heating substations in 166 residential buildings and the construction of heating networks with horizontal distribution and domestic hot water supply in 296 residential buildings. As a result, two-thirds of Balti’s residents will be able to regulate their heat consumption at apartment level and pay for heating services according to individual meter readings.