Ongoing energy efficiency projects, whether in the public or residential sector, the reorganization of the Energy Efficiency Agency (AEE) and the financing mechanism of the future institution were the central topics of the meeting of the Sectoral Coordination Council for External Assistance in the Energy Sector, held on Friday, June 30. The meeting was organized with the support of the Programme "Addressing the Impact of the Energy Crisis in the Republic of Moldova", funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP Moldova.

The reform of the Energy Efficiency Agency from an administrative authority into a public institution started with the adoption of the law on energy efficiency in May this year. The statute of the new structure, which is currently being finalized, will provide for an independent management board made up of experts and donor representatives, following the model of the Organization for the Development of Entrepreneurship (ODA). The new entity will develop programs with the support of external donors, and one of the main sources of funding is the energy efficiency bond scheme, which will ensure the security and predictability of financing. In concrete terms, a certain percentage of the revenues of energy operators, including those in the oil products market, will feed the energy efficiency fund.

The new model will provide more functional flexibility, greater financial autonomy, but also the possibility to increase the level of remuneration of employees to prevent high staff turnover and low degree of filling the available posts.

Thus, according to Energy Minister Victor Parlicov, by the fourth quarter of this year all preparatory procedures are to be finalized and the future programs are to be established, to be launched early next year. The programs of vouchers for the replacement of household appliances and "Green House" for providing subsidies to households for the implementation of energy efficiency measures, implemented in the testing phase in partnership with UNDP Moldova under the EU-funded "Addressing the Impact of the Energy Crisis in the Republic of Moldova" program, are to be taken over and financed in 2024 by the reformed Energy Efficiency Agency. The new entity will also support energy efficiency measures in public institutions, as well as residential buildings, by attracting grants as well as loans.

The Executive Director of the Analytical Center Expert-Grup, Alexandru Lupușor, spoke at the meeting about the project "First swallows", realized with the support of the Dutch Embassy, in the framework of which energy audits were carried out for 10 residential blocks. He said that the tenants of some blocks are willing to contribute to improving the energy efficiency of their building, and the Center is also holding talks with banks to offer loans for this purpose to condominium associates.

At the same time, representatives of the Swiss consulting company Skat, announced that they will carry out energy audits and investments for 300 rural households, plus energy efficiency measures in 6 public buildings in the coming year. In their case, the focus will be on rural areas, including actions to educate the population on, among other things, proper cleaning of stoves.