- Six kindergartens in Chisinau to be refurbished for greater energy efficiency
- Investment part of EBRD, EIB and E5P €25 million programme for public buildings
- Moldovan capital takes steps to improve its environment under EBRD Green Cities initiative
Six kindergartens in Moldova’s capital Chisinau will be refurbished by implementing energy efficient and renewable energy measures co-funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) fund and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The Municipality of Chisinau signed the first energy performance contract for this investment today.
The six kindergartens are the first of tens of public buildings – including hospitals and schools – that will be refurbished to improve their energy efficiency. The effort is supported by a €25 million financing package, in which the EBRD’s loan of €10 million is complemented by a €5 million grant from the E5P and a €10 million loan from the EIB.
In Moldova, the E5P is funded by the European Union, Sweden, Moldova, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Estonia, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, theSlovak Republic and Lithuania.
The E5P grants help Moldova improve energy efficiency, contributing to energy security and economic competitiveness, while having a positive impact on the environment.
The children and staff at the Chisinau kindergartens will benefit from improved facilities, such as better insulated walls, roofs and ceilings, new windows and doors, reinforced stairs, repaired drainage and ventilation systems.
Ion Ceban, Mayor of the city of Chisinau, said: “This is a long-awaited project, but also a special one given that more than 2,000 children will be the direct beneficiaries. This is the first step and we hope to achieve more under the project. We will continue to put all our efforts and dedication into progressing new energy efficient projects for Chisinau.”
Angela Sax, Head of the EBRD’s Moldova office, said: “The new energy efficiency measures will help make kindergartens more comfortable and safe for children and their educators. The investments will also save the city money in energy bills. Making kids aware of benefits of saving energy will help them become future leaders of green energy transition.”
Gintautas Baranauskas, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Moldova, added: “The Chisinau Energy Efficiency Project is particularly relevant for the EU because energy efficiency is pivotal for a greener growth model and, together with the energy transition, a central goal for the EU’s cooperation with eastern partners.”
With more than €18 million pledged, the EU is largest contributor to the E5P Fund in Moldova.
Investing in greater energy efficiency of buildings is part of Chisinau’s commitment to improving its urban environment. The Moldovan capital has signed up to EBRD Green Cities, the Bank’s flagship urban sustainability programme. The city has developed and approved a Green City Action Plan which aims to address the most pressing environmental challenges, such as improving air quality, water quality, land use, biodiversity, and climate mitigation and adaptation. The development of the plan was funded by the government of Austria.
The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Moldova. To date, the Bank has invested €1.4 billion in the country in over 136 projects, supporting the banking sector, sustainable infrastructure, trade and agriculture.