The Government today approved the reconnection of more than 67 public buildings to the central heating system (SACET), demonstrating the exemplary role of the public sector in promoting energy efficiency.

Centralized heating is the most efficient model currently available, also promoted at EU level. The reconnection of public buildings will result in primary energy (natural gas) savings from combined heat and power generation in cogeneration of 4.7 million m3/year, additional electricity production and supply of 27.8 million kWh/year and heat production and supply of 66.9 thousand Gcal/year.

The increase by about 9% of the overall thermal energy load of the thermoelectric power plants in Chisinau and Balti will reduce the fixed tariff expenses and will create premises for the reduction of tariffs for domestic consumers, Energy Minister Victor Parlicov told the government meeting. At the same time, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by about 9 thousand tons of CO2 equivalent.

"The centralized heating system is the most efficient model in terms of costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The more consumers it has, the lower the costs, it's like rowing - if all the people in a boat row together, the effort is less, but if some don't row, the remaining ones have to put in more effort," said Victor Parlicov.

Among the buildings to be reconnected to the centralized thermal energy supply system (SACET) in Chisinau and Balti are the buildings of the Presidency, the Parliament, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, hospitals and educational institutions. These have been disconnected over the years due to the inefficiency of the centralized heating system in the past. Following massive investments in recent years, however, it is being developed.