The project is funded by the European Union under the Single Market Program and brings together partners from four countries – the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovenia and Italy.
Carolina Novak, State Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, emphasized that these energy communities represent a concrete mechanism for strengthening energy security at the local level, a topic particularly relevant for Moldova, which has experienced several gas and electricity supply crises in recent years.
In particular, the REC4SMEs project will select three pilot communities from the Republic of Moldova, each of which will receive specialized support and vouchers of up to 20,000 euros for the development of technical, legal and organizational solutions necessary for the establishment of energy communities.
The competition targets SMEs in the agri-food and retail sectors, two areas with significant energy consumption and real potential for local cooperation.
Green transition is not possible without small businesses
Natalia Selevestru, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, emphasized the strategic role of SMEs in the process of sustainable economic transformation:
“The green transition of the economy is not possible without the active participation of SMEs. Energy communities provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to cooperate, optimize energy consumption and contribute to the development of a modern, sustainable economic model in line with European goals”.
ODA Director Vadim Codreanu emphasized the importance of developing energy communities to increase the competitiveness of SMEs and reduce their energy vulnerability:
“Renewable Energy Communities represent a practical solution through which SMEs can reduce their energy costs and become more sustainable and competitive. Through the REC4SMEs project, we aim to provide entrepreneurs with concrete tools, expertise and functional models to accelerate the transition to green energy and sustainable development.”
At the same time, the objectives and results of the REC4SMEs project were presented, as well as the experience and best practices of the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovenia and Italy regarding the creation of energy communities.
The REC4SMEs project is implemented by an international consortium of partners from the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovenia and Italy, coordinated by ODA, and aims to develop 12 renewable energy communities at international level, three of which are located in the Republic of Moldova.
The total project budget is 938 thousand euros, of which ODA will manage 246 thousand euros.
