The extensive use of biomass has brought new technologies, jobs and increased the energy security in the Republic of Moldova

The prospects of the biomass energy market after 2017, the final year of the Energy and Biomass Project in Moldova, were discussed within the press club, with the participation of  Octavian Calmîc, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy; Pirkka Tapiola, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova;  and Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Coordinator in Moldova.

“Being the most accessible renewable energy source in the Republic of Moldova, the biomass is the first option when it comes to promoting the renewable resources. It already provides more than half of the total amount of primary energy produced in the country and the main concern of the Government will be to ensure the smooth operation of all the elements of this market”, Octavian Calmîc said.

“Thus, the biofuel quality, the availability of the raw materials, the accurate planning of the procurements and of the deliveries to the public institutions will be among the priorities of the Ministry of Economy throughout the coming period”, the official specified.

Unlike other technologies for the production of the renewable energy, the biofuel has a great potential for job creation. The approximately 100 biofuel companies have generated over 300 new jobs in the Republic of Moldova and over 280 thousand people work in the sector of the solid biomass fuel in the European Union’s countries.

"The EU funded biomass project is part of the comprehensive package provided by the EU in the Energy sector to support the Republic of Moldova in the diversification of its energy sources and reinforcement of its energy security. With this, the EU is helping to provide cheaper, more secure and sustainable energy to all the citizens of the country”, Pirkka Tapiola, the European Union Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, stated. 

The development of the biomass energy consumption sector, as well as of the solid biofuel market in the Republic of Moldova has brought about the transfer and the implementation of modern, eco-friendly technologies and has enhanced the life quality in rural communities, being thus among the priorities of the Sustainable Development Goals approved by all the UN member states.

“Rural areas could gain enormous benefits if biofuel industry is properly developed in Moldova. These include employment and wealth creation and rural infrastructure development.  Expansion of biofuel industry market in rural areas in turn attracts other services providers and this create the multiplier effect which would not only aid rural development, reduce energy poverty, but also help in strengthening energy security and reducing country’s dependency on gas and oil import”, Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, mentioned.

The Republic of Moldova has committed to cover 17% of its domestic energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020 and it has already reached the level of 14.1% (according NBS) in 2015, 92% of the total amount being produced from biomass.

The Energy and Biomass Project, the second stage, is a three-year project implemented throughout the period 2015-2017. The Project has a budget of 9,41 million Euros allocated by the European Union and it is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme. It follows up the first stage of the project, implemented in 2011-2014, with a total budget of 14,56 million Euros, provided by the European Union (14 million Euros) and the UNDP (560 000 Euros).