Expert Grup in partnership with MIRD with the support of the Dutch Government will contribute to strengthening energy security, increasing energy efficiency and stimulating the development of renewable sources in Moldova

The main goal of the project is to contribute to the strengthening of energy security in our country by increasing energy efficiency and stimulating the development of renewable sources through the prism of key international projects, the implementation period is 2022-2024.

Increasing energy efficiency is a strategic priority of the state, because it comes to strengthen the energy security of the country, but also contributes to the development of the circular economy. Therefore, we appreciate the support offered by the Government of the Netherlands which, I am sure, will materialize in laws and policies with impact for the whole country", said Constantin Borosan, State Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development.

"The project is to strengthen the efforts of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development in order to promote energy efficiency in the residential sector, through technical assistance in creating the legal and institutional framework, the implementation of a grant scheme for investments in the thermal insulation of buildings and increasing the level of information and awareness in among the population about the necessity and opportunities of energy efficiency", said Adrian Lupușor, Expert-Grup Executive Director and project manager.

Floris van Eijk, head of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of Moldova, said "In the regional security context, energy security is a key element for strengthening the resilience of the Republic of Moldova and reducing economic pressure. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is committed to supporting the Republic of Moldova in the process of strengthening energy security, especially by increasing energy efficiency and reducing dependence on natural gas. Thus, a technical assistance budget of approximately EUR 1 million has been allocated which will be used to adjust the regulatory framework, develop the energy efficiency fund and pilot energy efficiency projects for the residential sector. We very much hope that such initiatives will encourage the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to invest in energy efficiency and thus contribute to strengthening the energy security of the country."

Technical assistance will be directed to:

• supporting the Government's institutional capacities in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy sources;
• supporting the ministry in promoting and developing an Energy Efficiency Fund for the residential sector;
• improving the legal framework in the field of energy efficiency of the energy performance of buildings and the exploitation of renewable energy sources;
• increasing public awareness of investment opportunities in energy efficiency and renewables.

The implementation of the project will contribute, in the medium and short term, to the creation of the Energy Efficiency Fund for the residential sector, but also to increasing the level of awareness of the population regarding the importance and opportunities for improving energy efficiency and renewable sources. Also, in the long term, it will help reduce our country's exposure to natural gas imports, households will be less affected by rising energy prices, and CO2 emissions will be reduced.

The project will be implemented by the Independent Think-Tank "Expert-Grup", in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of Moldova.