International Investor Connect Forum Showcases Innovative Energy Efficiency Solutions for Buildings

The event convened over 200 participants, including high-level policymakers from the Republic of Moldova, international organizations, financial institutions, industry leaders, researchers, and representatives from the construction sector across Moldova and the European Union. The forum provided a valuable platform for discussing and advancing energy efficiency policies, technologies, funding opportunities and practices that drive energy efficiency in buildings. 

The forum provided a solid platform for presenting the latest innovative solutions and discussing funding sources for the modernization of buildings in the residential and public sectors. In his speech, Prime Minister Dorin Recean emphasized the importance of investments and legislative reforms in the energy transformation of the Republic of Moldova. 

"Energy is going through a significant transformation. We understand how essential it is to our lives and are committed to guiding this change in a way that creates opportunities for the private sector. The government adopts legislation in line with EU regulations, thus unifying market rules. The Republic of Moldova is an attractive place for investments, especially now, being part of ENTSO-E, which integrates us both technically and commercially into the European network", said Dorin Recean.

Representing 50% of total consumption, the building sector is the largest energy consumer in the Republic of Moldova. Due to low efficiency, about a quarter of this energy is lost. Investments in this area will bring direct benefits to citizens, by reducing bills and increasing thermal comfort. In this context, the Minister of Energy, Victor Parlicov, pointed out that the energy efficiency of buildings can generate a major economic impact. 

"The market of energy efficiency services in [the Republic of] Moldova can attract investments of one billion EURO in the following years. The implementation of energy efficiency measures not only reduce energy bills and increase the comfort of citizens, but also have a positive effect on the economy. This is an opportunity for growth for companies in the field of construction and for the labor market in the Republic of Moldova", emphasized the Minister of Energy.

The "Investor Connect 2024" forum gave participants the opportunity to discuss the latest trends and innovative solutions in the energy efficiency field. Additionally, the event served as a foundation for new collaborations between investors, companies and public authorities, with the aim of supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy system. 

"We are committed to rehabilitating over half a million square meters in the coming years," said Ion Muntean, director of the National Center for Sustainable Energy, emphasizing that the institutions are prepared to ensure the implementation of these ambitious projects. "We plan to invest 1.4 billion lei in the residential sector through the Fund for Energy Efficiency in the Residential Sector, and the success of this endeavor depends on partnerships with the private sector", added Ion Muntean.

The forum was organized by the National Center for Sustainable Energy within the GCIP Moldova project, which is part of the UNIDO Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP), supported by the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund. The institutional support was provided from the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Moldova, in partnership with the European Union, UNDP, GIZ and USAID. 

For further information about UNIDO’s work in the Republic of Moldova, please contact:

Dona Scola

National Project Coordinator, UNIDO

d.scola@unido.org 

Olga Rataj

Associate Industrial Development Officer, GCIP Programme Lead, UNIDO

o.rataj@unido.org