Moldovan towns share how homeowners renovate apartment buildings to save energy

Four Covenant of Mayors signatory municipalities in Moldova shared their experience of renovating apartment buildings at the second Forum of Homeowners’ Associations in the Republic of Moldova, held in Chișinău on 25 September.

The Forum was organized by the National Centre for Sustainable Energy and the United Nations Development Programme in Moldova, in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development and the Regional Development Agencies, with financial support from the Government of Denmark.

The panel looked at how homeowners’ associations and local authorities can work together on energy renovation. It brought together administrators of apartment buildings from Ialoveni, Bălți and Chișinău, and the mayor of Ceadîr-Lunga. Lilia Curchi, Covenant of Mayors – East country expert for Moldova, moderated the discussion.

Oxana Catărău, Sergiu Meleca and Ion Calmîc described how they persuaded homeowners to take part, modernised heating systems and insulated their buildings. They also explained how residents raised their share of the costs and set up an energy community. The speakers said an active association and trust between neighbours made the joint investment possible.

Ceadîr-Lunga Mayor Anatoli Topal said the municipality helps homeowners’ associations prepare documents, works with the National Centre for Sustainable Energy and co-finances projects. In Ceadîr-Lunga, the Moldova Residential Energy Efficiency Fund is financing the renovation of one apartment building. The works, worth nearly MDL 5 million, include insulating the roof, façade and basement and replacing exterior windows and doors. Once completed, the renovation should improve the building’s energy efficiency by 44 per cent.

Participants also discussed how homeowners’ associations can reorganise into condominium owners’ associations and prepare renovation projects. The Forum also covered the financing available for renovating apartment buildings and the steps needed to access it.

For Covenant of Mayors – East signatories, building renovation helps meet local energy and climate targets. For residents, it means lower energy use and bills, warmer homes and less exposure to changes in energy prices.

Photo: UNDP Moldova