The Government of the Republic of Moldova approved today the National Plan for the Increase of the Number of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) by 2030 – a strategic document aimed at accelerating the transition to a more energy-efficient and sustainable construction sector.

 

The plan establishes a series of concrete measures to promote the construction of new NZEB buildings, as well as to transform existing buildings into buildings with very high energy performance. Through its implementation, the Republic of Moldova aims to significantly reduce final energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the commitments undertaken in the field of energy efficiency and combating climate change.

 

“In the context of the crises faced by the Republic of Moldova, increasing the energy performance of buildings is a national priority to ensure the energy security of citizens. Buildings are the central element of the energy efficiency policy, as they are responsible for approximately 50% of final energy consumption and over 50% of greenhouse gas emissions. Significantly improving the energy efficiency of the building stock is essential for achieving long-term strategic objectives on climate change,” said Dorin Junghietu, Minister of Energy.

 

The document includes measures such as harmonizing technical documentation in construction with EU standards, developing a guide for transforming existing buildings into NZEBs, adjusting existing financing instruments to support the transition to NZEB buildings, strengthening professional capacities in the field, as well as integrating the NZEB concept into technical and higher vocational education.

 

According to the plan, all new buildings will have to be designed as NZEBs, and existing ones – in case of major renovations – will be modernized to the same standard, to the extent of technical and economic feasibility. NZEB buildings will combine high-performance thermal insulation with renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, and the installation of heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation technology is encouraged.

 

The implementation of the proposed measures will be carried out within the limits of the approved budget allocations, as well as with the support of development partners, but also of private sector investments by creating a market for energy efficiency services and involving private resources in the construction sector. The total estimated cost for the implementation of the plan is about 15 million lei, which mainly relates to internal capacity building costs, of which 3 million will be provided from the state budget, the rest coming from external technical assistance projects.

 

The project was developed by the Ministry of Energy, with the support of the Moldova Energy Security Project (MESA), funded by USAID, and with the participation of the "Green Transition in Moldova" project, implemented by Expertise France, with the support of AFD.