On 21-26 October 2018, a study visit to Latvia was organised with the topic of planning in the field of Energy Efficiency (EE). During 5 days, 15 participants exchanged experience and knowledge with their Latvian colleagues in terms of latest practices in EE field. Representatives of Energy Efficiency Agency (EEA), Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure (MEI), energy managers of Rayon Councils and advisors of the ‘Modernization of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova’ (MLPS) project took part in the event. The study visit is organised under the ‘Modernization of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova’ (MLPS) project, implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ.
The event was opened by meetings and discussions with Latvian officials from the Ministry of Environment Protection, Regional Development and Ministry of Economy of Latvia. During the meetings the representatives of the given Ministries made presentations and spoke about supporting energy efficiency projects, financial instruments and climate changes, as well as, Latvian legal framework on energy efficiency for regions and municipalities. Further, two case studies were presented in this respect on the achievements and successes in the EE field from Zemgale/Vidzeme region and Riga municipality.
The second day was dedicated to meetings and discussions with LPA representatives from Grobina region, Latvia, who provided the delegation from the Republic of Moldova with information on supporting energy efficiency projects and involvement of LPAs in this sector. Also, best practices of the municipal enterprise ‘Grobinas Namserviss’ producing and providing heating for the region were presented, and of the experience of the gymnasium in implementing energy efficiency improvement projects.
On the third day, meetings and discussions took place with the representatives of Local Council of Liepāja city, Latvia. LPA representatives told the participants about the management in public and apartment buildings from that city. Case studies and lessons learned as a result of implementing energy efficiency projects in public buildings and street lighting were presented.
The last two days of the visit were allotted to meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Latvian Republic and diplomatic corps of the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Latvia. The visit ended with a summing-up meeting, where discussions were held on the experience exchange and knowledge gathered during the 5 days, also mentioning best practices and the possibility of Latvian knowledge and experience transfer to the Republic of Moldova.
Alexandr Marian, energy manager, Calarasi Rayon Council: ‘This was a very efficient visit. I’ve learned about and seen with my eyes successful projects in the field of energy efficiency which could be implemented and represent a model for our country’.
Tatiana Gaidamut, energy manager, Leova Rayon Council: ‘The knowledge gathered during the 5 days of the study visit will help me to better understand the EE field, whereas applying the knowledge will facilitate and ease our future professional activity’.
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The project ‘Modernization of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova’ is implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment and financially supported by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union, the Romanian Government, the Swedish Government, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
