OREANDA-NEWS. March 04, 2013. Swedish experts suggest Chisinau switches from a “production directed system” to a “consumption directed system” and install almost 4800 individual heating stations.

The Swedish company SWECO carried out a report, which includes recommendations on the short and medium term development of Chisinau’s central heating system (SACET).Experts presented the report during a joint meeting today, attended by representatives of the Economics Ministry, Energy Efficiency Agency, Thermal Power Plants (CETs) and representatives of the Termocom joint-stock company.

The authors of the report suggest authorities restore transport and distribution heating networks that are currently damaged as well as modernise the production of the thermal energy. According to SWECO experts, Moldova should build a new and modern thermal power plant, with a combined cycle, that would be able to use all types of fuels, including biomass and household and industrial waste.

The report also includes a string of recommended short-term policies that would be implemented by local or central public authorities. The policies focus on the reconnection of public institutions to the central heating system as well as the connection of apartment blocks to the central heating system. According to the report, authorities should gradually stop deciding on the beginning and end of a heating system and let consumers decide on their heating needs.

Reconnected buildings would be endowed with modern and individual heating stations, which are currently lacking. Associated heating networks would be restored as well. Swedish experts believe the use of these heating stations would ensure the quality and flexibility of the services after the building is reconnected to the heating system. According to them, the quality of the new services would be at the same level or even better than the quality of services provided by autonomous gas heating stations. Experts also recommend the connection of new public buildings, built in the SACET area, to the central heating system as well as the installation of individual heating systems.

The head of the Economics Ministry’s general department for energy security and efficiency, Vadim Ceban said the project would be implemented in 2014. The project amounts to more than 20 million dollars, which will be allocated by Moldova’s development partners.

According to experts, a quarter of the thermal energy is lost in the networks, whereas 50 bani out of one leu a family spends are allocated for heating.