The project aims to modernize infrastructure, rehabilitate heat networks, improve energy efficiency, install individual heat points, switch to a horizontal heating system, and thermo-insulate buildings. In particular, it is planned to install about 2,500 individual heat points and introduce a horizontal heat distribution system in about 1,700 residential buildings in the capital.
Despite the scale and strategic importance of the project, its launch has been delayed. The agreement was signed in May 2025. Since then, work has been underway to organize tenders for the formation of a project implementation unit. At the same time, a budget of more than one billion lei is envisaged for the current year alone.
The chairman of the parliamentary commission for economy, budget and finance, Radu Marian, sharply criticized the pace. Nine months have passed and the project still does not have an implementation unit.
Race against time
“This project is among the top 3 most important for Moldova in the coming years. It is difficult to find more significant projects. I want to understand if the people present here realize the urgency and importance of this project? I don’t see it. After all, that is why we held these hearings – because we are in a race against time to improve energy efficiency. The world is becoming more unstable and the cost of energy is rising,” the MP said.
Ruslan Suruzhiu, interim director of the United Unit for Implementation and Monitoring of Energy Projects (UCIPE), agreed that “time is our main enemy”.
“Every lost year costs us dearly. At the same time, we are facing harsh realities, in particular a lack of capacity in the design sector. We simply don’t have enough specialists on the local market. While initially we estimated the design phase at 8-12 months, in practice the timeframe is significantly longer – by 30-70%,” explained Surugiu.
He suggested that the state should already start developing these competencies and training specialists capable of filling this deficit:
“Otherwise, no matter how much we demand and fine, the reality remains harsh.”
