The initiative aims to improve energy efficiency in a number of educational institutions and student dormitories in Moldova. The German government, through KfW Bank, has allocated a grant of 38.7 million euros for this purpose. The relevant memorandum was signed on September 16 at the Ion Creanga State Pedagogical University, the first beneficiary of the project.
Caroline Novak, State Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, at the signing ceremony of the memorandum of cooperation, said that buildings in Moldova are quite energy-intensive – the average energy consumption is twice as high as the European average. Therefore, “we have a duty and a need to change something – to promote energy efficiency measures: thermal insulation, energy rehabilitation and modernization of district heating systems”.
“We have set a target of renewing 3% of public buildings every year. We invite auditing, design and construction companies, including Moldovan ones, to participate in tenders, as these are real opportunities to contribute to national projects. Energy efficiency means, first of all, reducing consumption and receipts. Such a project can also reduce the budget and tax burden related to the payment for public utilities,” Karolina Novak said.
Adriana Cazacu, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Research, emphasized that the Ministry is one of the main beneficiaries of the project – a total of 16 buildings are covered, including dormitories and educational buildings.
Maxim Lebovici, Director of the Office of the French Development Agency, said that two educational buildings of the Ion Creanga University, built in the late 1950s and never underwent major renovation, will be completely reconstructed in the near future.
Mr. Serghei Gutsu, from the German Development Bank KfW, said that the project is aimed at significantly reducing energy consumption, lowering infrastructure maintenance costs and, last but not least, at creating comfortable conditions for the users of these buildings.
INSPIREE is the third national project in this field. The first one is under implementation and envisages the renovation of the country’s largest hospitals, the second one covers schools, and the current one modernizes two educational buildings of the Ion Creanga State Pedagogical University, as well as student dormitories.
