OREANDA-NEWS. July 06, 2012. Moldovan Economics Ministry and the Energy Efficiency Agency launched the biggest contest for successful initiatives in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Moldova - Eco-Energy 2012.

Deputy Prime Minister, Economics Minister Valeriu Lazar said at the inauguration of the event that the contest aims at supporting the most important initiatives in producing, transmitting and distributing the efficient energy consumption from renewable sources, as well as in developing and promoting modern technologies and innovations in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Representatives of public institutions, private sector, NGOs, foundations, groups of initiatives, media outlets, economic environment, as well as private people can participate in this contest.

"We are in the full swing of changing Moldova's Energy Strategy and we believe that it should be a realist and pragmatic one, able to ensure the economic growth in this sector and to strengthen the country's energy security. This initiative should be put in practice through concrete actions, such as public and private initiatives, not only political commitments. In the context, the competition launched today proves our support for those who think in a strategic way, act responsibly, create new business opportunities in the energy field and ensure the regional development and the creation of new jobs in our settlements," Lazar added.

For his part, the head of the Energy Efficiency Agency Mihai Stratan said that "The competition Moldova - Eco-Energy 2012 represents a wake-up call for the entire country. By this competition, we would like to prove that we can be efficient, innovative and competitive, regardless of our positions: public institutions, private companies, home consumers, and especially, youths, who will have to face the shortage of traditional energy sources," Stratan said.
Stratan said that the participants in the contest will compete in the following categories: the best solar, wind, hydraulic and geothermal energy project; the best project in the field of biomass, biogas and bio fuels; the best energy efficiency project in the public and/or private sector; the best communication and awareness-raising initiative; the best education initiative for promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency and the best youths' initiative.

Stratan added that those interested can submit participation applications on 2 July - 31 August, adding that the prizes would be awarded in November.

At present, about 95 per cent of the country's energy demands are supplied from imports, mainly fossil fuels. At the same time, Moldova has a great potential of producing renewable energy, which has not been fully turned to account so far. Given the lack of own energy sources and the increasing dependency on foreign energy imports, ensuring the energy efficiency and turning to account the renewable energy sources are among Moldova's strategic priorities. In the context, the Moldovan government committed to increase the quota of renewable energy from 6 per cent in 2010 to 20 per cent in 2020 and to streamline the global consumption of primary energy by 20 per cent by 2020.