EU and UNDP in Moldova launch new €10 million programme to mitigate impact of energy crisis

On 2 June, the European Union and UNDP Moldova launched a new programme on reducing the impact of the energy crisis in the Republic of Moldova and reversing the deepening energy poverty among the country’s vulnerable population.

The new programme, ‘Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis in the Republic of Moldova’, worth €10 million, will support Moldova in implementing key energy reforms and strengthening institutional capacity to respond to both the current and potential future energy shocks.

The programme will also include a large-scale information campaign to encourage homeowners to replace old appliances with more energy-efficient models. In addition, several apartment buildings will be equipped with horizontal heat distribution systems, and photovoltaic panel systems will be installed in at least three health facilities, thus helping to reduce energy costs.

The new programme is on top of the €60 million in budgetary support for emergency assistance to overcome the energy crisis and €5 million to support vulnerable people affected by the energy crisis, also provided by the European Union.

Marcel Spatari, Minister of Labour and Social Protection, said energy poverty was a national issue that currently affects most Moldovans: “Around 60% of households spend more than 10% of their budget on energy. This number is likely to increase next winter, as the heating season will restart and global gas prices remain unpredictable. The problem of energy poverty, if left unaddressed, threatens to amplify vulnerability, creating long-term effects on Moldovan society and its economy.”

The launch event took place in the context of EU Green Week 2022, marked from 30 May – 5 June.