Moldovan authorities are encouraging public institutions and households to switch to solid biofuels to reduce dependence on imported energy and protect consumers from sudden price increases, Moldova 1 reported.
The move comes ahead of a 41% increase in natural gas tariffs from September 1. Residential consumers will pay €1.04, or about 20.30 Moldovan lei, per cubic metre.
More than 300 biomass boiler systems are already operating in public institutions across Moldova, with a combined heating capacity of about 70 MW, according to the National Centre for Sustainable Energy (CNED).
These systems replace up to 20 million cubic metres of imported natural gas each year, equivalent to about 2% of Moldova’s total gas consumption.
The private sector has also installed thousands of biomass heating systems for homes and small businesses. The country has about 45 domestic producers of biofuels supplying the market.
Officials say greater use of locally produced biomass could keep more energy spending within the country and support regional agricultural and industrial activity instead of sending money to foreign energy suppliers.
Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu said the development of the solid biofuel sector could provide a competitive alternative for heating while reducing Moldova’s exposure to changes in international energy prices.The government is also offering financial support to encourage households to adopt modern heating systems. Direct co-financing for residential heating upgrades is available through the Residential Energy Efficiency Fund (FEERM), which is managed by CNED.
