Moldovan government approves strategy for renovation of real estate stock

Moldova will implement a strategy for the renovation of the real estate stock by 2050. This will allow for the mobilization of investments in the energy efficiency of buildings and the cutting of consumers’ invoices. The government approved the document today.

The long-term sectoral strategy for the renovation of the national real estate stock for the period 2025 - 2050 aims to increase the energy efficiency of public, private, and residential buildings of Moldova by 2050, facilitating the transformation of all existing buildings into almost zero-energy buildings.

Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu has said that more than half of the energy consumed in Moldova came from the buildings sector.

“The energy efficiency of buildings brings benefits to people and society as a whole. By reducing energy consumption, tenants will enjoy lower invoices and will have more money available for other essential needs. At the same time, buildings’ renovation contributes to enhanced thermal comfort, improved living conditions and increased safety of constructions,” said Dorin Junghietu.

The strategy proposes a phased intervention framework with three levels of renovation: minor (up to 30% energy savings), moderate (30-60%), and deep (over 60%). The measures include thermal insulation of walls and roofs, modernization of heating and ventilation systems, replacement of energy-inefficient windows and doors, as well as other works aimed at enhancing indoor comfort and reducing climate impact.

According to the authorities, investments in energy efficiency will also have a positive impact on the architectural aspect of buildings and contribute to increasing their market value. Besides the direct benefits for tenants, these investments generate significant economic effects - from the creation of new jobs in construction, engineering, and other related fields, to the strengthening of the country's energy security by reducing dependence on external energy sources.

The project's info note reveals that the implementation of the Strategy in the period 2025-2030 requires total investments of about 4,393.8 million euros, of which approximately 405 million euros is already mobilized through various programmes/projects initiated by the Government. Thus, to cover the investment gap, estimated at about 4.0 billion euros by 2030, mobilizing private capital and creating mechanisms to encourage private sector involvement is vital.

Implementing the strategy will contribute to reducing energy consumption, as a result of renovating the national building stock. Consequently, with the reduction in energy consumption, CO2 emissions will also decrease, positively impacting the environment. The implementation of the Strategy will result in annual primary energy savings: by 2030 - 4.5 per cent, by 2040 - 18.9 per cent, by 2050 - 40.8 per cent. The CO2 emissions will be reduced by 2,514,622 tons.

According to statistics data, in 2022, buildings accounted for approximately 53 per cent of the total final energy consumption nationally, significantly exceeding other sectors, such as transportation or industry. Most buildings existing in Moldova were built during the Soviet era, between the 1960s and 1990s, or even earlier, in a technological and regulatory context that did not emphasize energy efficiency. Energy audits have shown that energy losses can reach 50-60 per cent in many cases, generating high costs for building users and a significant carbon footprint.