Given that more than half of energy consumption is in the construction sector, energy efficiency has a direct impact on the economy, its competitiveness and sustainability, the forum participants stated.
Serious funds are being injected into the sector
Programs such as the Moldovan Residential Energy Efficiency Fund (MREEF), along with investments in public buildings, provide significant financial resources. They require effective implementation in the building market.
The forum discussed how to accelerate the implementation of energy efficiency technologies in construction at the legislative and regulatory level.
The directions of reforms and investments in this area were highlighted, including the strategic role of public policy in supporting the energy efficient construction market.
Vladimir Bolea, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, emphasized the need to strengthen the sector’s capacity to implement complex projects and respond to the growing demand created by national energy efficiency programs.
Law and current realities
“Legislation must keep pace with modern realities,” the Minister emphasized. – Climate change is already being felt and construction technologies and materials are developing at an accelerated pace. Therefore, we need a flexible and modern legal framework that allows us to quickly adapt to new requirements and modern construction methods”.
Bolya assured that the agency remains open for continuous dialog with both representatives of the construction sector and those working in the field of energy efficiency.
“When innovative solutions appear that are not yet sufficiently regulated, I encourage the business community to put forward clear proposals so that together we can update the legislative framework,” Mr. Bolea said.
Construction regulations remain the same
However, as is often the case, the law has not kept pace with real changes. Now the problem is that green building is gaining momentum in Moldova, but the building regulations have remained the same.
According to Serghei Ungureanu, energy expert in GIZ and BERD projects, they do not envisage the use of environmentally friendly materials – straw, clay, briquettes and others. Which, by the way, have long been used in Europe and could be implemented in our country.
In Moldova, according to the legislation, construction can be made of concrete, bricks, i.e. a limited list of materials.
“The same applies to insulation,” the expert continues. – We have developed standards only for polystyrene, wool and similar materials, although we are already using new ecological materials that have not been certified yet.
The certification process in Moldova is complicated
Serghei Ungureanu emphasizes that the certification process in Moldova is complicated and makes it difficult to introduce new materials.
That is, a person can build a house, but it will not be accepted for use because it is made of straw,” the expert stated. – In Moldova, these processes are difficult and hamper the promotion of new construction technologies, although we have been talking about it for a long time”.
Discussions at the forum also focused on expanding financing mechanisms and adapting the market to European standards. Since energy efficiency investments are structured with special instruments, including grants and co-financing mechanisms for homeowners’ associations and public buildings, information and training are needed.
International experience was presented as guidelines for sector development, including the role and participation of the private sector in the effective use of financial mechanisms in energy saving projects.
The event was organized by the National Center for Sustainable Energy (CNED) in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, UNDP Moldova and with financial support from the Government of Denmark.
