Around 17,000 inhabitants of Calarasi will benefit from street lighting. The length of the street lighting network will be 21 kilometers and will provide a 35% reduction in annual energy consumption. The project, launched today in Calarasi, is implemented by local authorities, in partnership with IDIS "Viitorul", with the financial support of the European Union (EU).
The project aims to improve the public lighting system in Calarasi and to strengthen the capacities of local public authorities to increase energy efficiency by implementing measures to increase energy efficiency at the local level.
The energy efficiency project aims to make the public lighting system in Calarasi more efficient and to strengthen the capacities of local public authorities to increase energy efficiency.
"I want to congratulate the municipality of Calarasi, which, in partnership with IDIS "Viitorul", have managed to obtain a grant from the EU for this energy efficiency project. This grant is recognition of the quality of the project and the good reputation of Calarasi, which fights for energy efficiency. Hope that the project will benefit both the country, the municipality of Calarasi and, most importantly for any EU funded actions, for the citizens of the town, declared Alexandre Darras, Project Manager, EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.
In turn, the executive director of IDIS "Viitorul", stated: “We have worked side by side for six months with the Calarasi Town Hall to succeed in a competition launched by the European Commission on sustainable urban development. Although the competition was a tough one, we were able to get this European support together. I hope the project will have a positive impact on the quality of life of Calarasi citizens, diminish migration and develop the local economy".
"We want to succeed in rehabilitating and improving the street and road public lighting system in Calarasi to help increase the safety and comfort of the citizens at night. Representatives of the local public authorities in Calarasi rayon will find more about the energy efficiency, will be trained and will also exchange experience in the field of urban revitalization", states the Project Manager, Liubomir Chiriac.
"We are glad that, as a signatory locality of the Covenant of Mayors for climate and energy, we have found support from the European Union to implement this far-reaching project. Respectively, our town will be enlightened, residents will move safely at night and consequently, we will reduce CO2 consumption and the number of crimes. Only through such projects municipalities from Moldova will get closer to European cities", believes Nicolae Melnic, Mayor of Calarasi.
The energy efficiency project will also include the installation of architectural lighting for two public institutions in Calarasi, the organization of the "Energy Day", drawing contests for pupils, training for specialists in the field, the development of a national forum on investment opportunities in energy efficiency, etc. In the long term, a sustainable energy management system will be implemented within the project, and the level of safety and comfort for citizens and visitors will increase significantly.
In this respect, for Mariana Iurcu, a museographer at the History and Ethnography Museum in Calarasi it was a surprise to find out at that the institution where she works will be artistically illuminated: "Recently, the museum was renovated and included in the national tourist route, which what is an innovation for Calarasi. And the illumination of the facade of our building, which is architecturally attractive, will provide a beautiful and colorful look. At the same time, citizens and tourists will know more about us, and the institution will become more visible".
According to the energy expert of IDIS “Viitorul”, Ion Muntean, 500 street light bulbs will be replaced and the energy efficiency project will ensure a real economy of 6 500 euro/year, will allow the reduction of CO2 emissions and the cost of maintenance and operation.
The launching conference took place within the project "Efficient public lighting in Calarasi", implemented by the Calarasi Town Hall in partnership with IDIS "Viitorul". The project is funded by the European Union through the Regional Programme in the Eastern Neighbourhood in support of the Eastern Partnership Flagship Initiative on Sustainable Municipal Development.
***
The EU4Energy Initiative covers all EU support to improve energy supply, security and connectivity, as well as to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewables in the Eastern Partner countries Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. It does this by financing projects and programmes that help to reform energy markets and to reduce national energy dependence and consumption. Over the longer term, this makes energy supply more reliable, transparent and affordable, thus reducing energy poverty and energy bills for both citizens and the private sector.
More information: www.EU4Energy.eu
For more information, please contact the Press Officer of the project, Ana - Maria Veverita: ana.veverita@viitorul.org or by phone (0 22) 221844
