Energy rehabilitation of more vulnerable households starts in central Moldova village

Over 40 vulnerable households have started the energy rehabilitation of their homes today, through the Energy Efficiency Fund in the Residential Sector in Moldova (FEERM), with support from the European Union and the Government of Germany. The works were launched at a beneficiary household in the village of Negureni, central Telenesti district.

“This is a crucial moment for the sustainable development of Moldova and for the well-being of our citizens, especially those from rural communities. Through this fund, we will succeed in reducing energy poverty, lowering energy invoices and, not in the least, contributing to environmental protection by reducing carbon emissions. This is an important step towards a safer and more prosperous future for everybody,” said Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu, present at the event.

The team of constructors carrying out the works said that a string of complex energy efficiency measures would be implemented, such as the thermal insulation of the external walls of homes, replacing old windows and doors with modern and efficient solutions, modernizing heating systems and setting solar panels for domestic hot water production. The aim is to minimize heat loss and the costs incurred by citizens during winter.

“The FEERM programme was meant to provide an accessible and efficient financing mechanism. The first households were selected following a transparent process, and our teams are already on the ground to start work. The impact will be immediately visible, both in the comfort of the homes and in the budget of the beneficiary families,” said Ion Muntean, head of the National Center for Sustainable Energy (CNED).

The first stage of the programme targets the rehabilitation of 500 households, selected based on clear vulnerability criteria. Work has already begun in the districts of Calarasi, Orhei, and Hancesti, with the project set to gradually expand nationwide in the coming years. Specialists estimate a reduction in energy consumption of up to 40 per cent for each rehabilitated household.

The Energy Efficiency Fund in the Residential Sector in Moldova (FEERM) is a national programme aimed at financing and implementing energy efficiency measures in homes of vulnerable families, particularly in rural areas. The programme is managed by national authorities, with support from international partners, and aims to combat energy poverty and promote a responsible consumption of resources.

The residential sector is the largest consumer of final energy in Moldova, accounting for about 40–45 per cent of the country's total energy consumption. The main sources used are thermal energy and biomass (wood, pellets, briquettes) - used especially in rural areas for heating homes; natural gas - consumed mainly in urban areas for heating, cooking, and hot water preparation; electricity - intended for lighting, appliances, and air conditioning.

Consumption is characterized by high energy inefficiency - most residential buildings have low thermal insulation, resulting in high energy losses; a high proportion of biomass - in rural areas, about two-thirds of households rely on firewood for heating; high costs compared to income - spending on energy often exceeds 15–20 per cent of households’ budgets, which surpasses the “energy poverty” threshold defined at European level.

This data make update more trends and policies adopted by the relevant authorities. Thus, the use of energy-efficient equipment is gradually increasing (appliances class A, modern boilers, heat pumps), but the pace is slow because of initial costs; energy efficiency programmes and subsidies for the thermal insulation of blocks and individual houses are being implemented, supported by the government, the European Union and other development partners; energy sources are diversifying, with renewable energy being promoted (solar panels for hot water, photovoltaics for self-consumption).