Green energy in Călărași: public institutions with zero bills and comfort for children and community

Several public institutions in Călărași district no longer pay for electricity, following investments in photovoltaic panels, becoming models of good practice in the transition to green energy. Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu visited today the multifunctional Cultural Center in Sipoteni commune, one of the landmark projects in the energy efficiency.

The Cultural Center has become a symbol of modernization and environmental care, following the installation in 2023 of a photovoltaic system with a capacity of 57.6 kW, implemented with government support, under the programs DAR 1+3 and European Express Village. The project was awarded in the Moldova Eco-Energy competition, in the category "Exemplary Role of the Public Sector in Promoting Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy."

Before the installation of photovoltaic panels, the institution annually consumed almost 10,000 kWh of electricity. In 2024, the network consumption was reduced to zero, making the Cultural Center practically energy independent and paying 0 lei to the energy supplier. The energy produced reached 57 MWh, generating financial savings of over 150 thousand lei.

The Minister of Energy visited the ethnographic museum and discussed with the employees and visitors of the cultural center, who directly benefit from the investment.


“Since we have heating based on renewable electrical energy, everything is different. Children come to rehearsals without time restrictions, they stay in good conditions and enjoy activities. The door is always open, and there isn’t a day without visitors,” said Antonina Diaconu, the museographer.


Currently, the Cultural Center hosts a branch of the art school with 110 children, a folk dance ensemble, a band with the title of model collective, the local library with 408 subscribers, and the ethnographic museum, visited annually by approximately 700 people.

Sipoteni mayor Vasile Rață announced that a 162 kW photovoltaic park was installed in the area adjacent to the local stadium, which will power all the consumption points of the city hall, including street lighting, the local public administration office, and water pumping stations. At the same time, the authorities plan to install a 120 kW photovoltaic plant and two heat pumps, to switch the kindergarten from natural gas heating to electrical energy.


“It is impressive to see on the ground how the promoted policies bear concrete fruit. Green energy means local production, reducing imports, smaller bills, and increased thermal comfort. At the same time, it allows the electrification of heating systems and contributes to the country's green transition,” declared the Minister of Energy, Dorin Junghietu.


The minister also visited the localities of Tuzara and Nișcani, where projects for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources have been implemented. Discussions with local authorities focused on facilitating access to green projects and the necessary interventions for their expansion.

In Tuzara, Junghietu participated in an information session for residents regarding the possibility of thermal insulation of homes, with the support of I'M INVOLVED project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by Skat Consulting Ltd.