- EBRD is providing Chisinau with an €11.5 million loan to upgrade energy efficiency in public buildings, especially kindergartens.
- The programme targets deep retrofits, renewable energy integration, and major energy savings under the EBRD Green Cities initiative.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide the City of Chisinau with an €11.5 million loan for an energy efficiency programme. The programme will focus on public buildings, especially kindergartens. It forms part of Chisinau’s participation in the EBRD Green Cities programme, which supports more sustainable and liveable urban areas. Giuseppe Grimaldi, EBRD Head of Moldova, and Mayor Ion Ceban signed the loan agreement.
The project will upgrade up to 30 kindergartens. EBRD financing will cover works in 18 of these buildings. The total project cost stands at €31.1 million. The financing structure includes a €7 million investment grant, a parallel €11.5 million loan from the European Investment Bank, and a €1.1 million contribution from the City of Chisinau.
Meanwhile, the upgrades will include thermal insulation, modern heating and ventilation systems, improved lighting, and better water supply. The works will also replace windows and doors and add renewable energy systems such as solar PV and solar thermal. These measures will improve comfort for almost 10,000 children and 1,500 staff. The city expects to achieve average energy savings of 55 per cent and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The project will also introduce advanced energy management standards. These include energy audits and performance certification. The city will use Energy Performance Contracts to encourage private sector participation and innovation in energy efficiency delivery. The initiative aligns with the Paris Agreement and qualifies as 100 per cent green finance. It is projected to save more than 46,000 gigajoules of energy each year and cut carbon emissions by about 3,165 tonnes annually.
These actions will improve resource efficiency, reduce pollution, and support better health outcomes for young residents. The EBRD remains Moldova’s largest institutional investor and a key supporter of its energy sector. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Bank has increased support for Moldova, including a €400 million loan to secure gas and electricity supplies. The new