Several educational institutions and businesses in Hâncești District are achieving significant savings on their energy bills as a result of implementing energy efficiency measures and investing in renewable energy sources. In some cases, investments in photovoltaic systems have been recouped in just two years.

These results were presented during a working visit by Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu to Hâncești District, where he met with the district mayor and representatives of the local public administration. The discussions focused on the energy efficiency needs of public buildings as well as programs run by the Ministry of Energy for public and private buildings.

The Minister explained the criteria for selecting public buildings eligible for funding, with priority given to those with high energy consumption and low efficiency. He also recommended that local authorities prepare the necessary documentation in advance to apply for upcoming project calls.

The possibility of developing renewable energy investments in Hâncești District was also discussed, including wind farms and new photovoltaic capacities, which will also be equipped with energy storage systems.

Minister Junghietu highlighted that, since December, the OPEM energy exchange has been operational, functioning on 15-minute trading intervals. This mechanism allows energy producers to sell their output at transparent and competitive prices based on supply and demand.

The construction project for the Strășeni–Gutinaș power line, which will cross the localities of Secăreni and Pașcani in Hâncești District, was also discussed. In this context, the Minister called for active cooperation from local authorities during the expropriation process and for fair compensation for land used for public utility purposes.

During the visit, the Minister also toured several educational institutions that have implemented energy efficiency projects and installed photovoltaic systems.

The Hâncești Vocational School installed a 66 kW photovoltaic system, carried out major roof repairs, and improved thermal insulation of the buildings, with support from the German “Eberhard Schock” Foundation and the Ministry of Education. In 2025, the institution produced over 55 MWh of electricity under net metering, most of which was consumed on-site, significantly reducing electricity bills.

The school offers dual education programs in trades such as welder, painter-plasterer, auto mechanic, confectioner, and garment worker. Recently, in partnership with the National Employment Agency, a retraining program for electricians was launched, an initiative welcomed by the Minister of Energy given the increased volume of modernization work in the energy sector.

The “Ștefan Golban” High School in Cărpineni implemented a government-funded energy efficiency project as early as 2015, with an investment of 2.3 million lei. The works included replacing windows and doors as well as thermal insulation of walls and the roof. The resulting energy savings allowed the school to expand its capacity to 650 students and use the building as a refugee center.

The high school in Mingir benefited from a 2.4 million lei investment from the Energy Efficiency Fund, with similar thermal rehabilitation works. According to the administration, the investment was recovered through energy savings, and future plans include installing photovoltaic panels.

During discussions with students and teachers, the Minister emphasized the importance of engineering professions and encouraged young people to consider a career in the energy sector, which is undergoing extensive modernization and offers attractive professional and salary opportunities.

The Minister also visited the Romanița garment factory in Hâncești, which received a 1.3 million lei grant from the Entrepreneurship Development Organization for the installation of a 150 kW photovoltaic system. Combined with the transition from natural gas heating to heat pumps, the investment was recouped in just two years, increasing the enterprise’s competitiveness, including in export markets.