The Street Lighting Project for Six Localities in Soroca Rayon Was Awarded by the Best Practices Program

On November 22, 2013, the street lighting system project in Tatarauca Veche, Soroca, received the IInd award by the Good Practice Program “Successful Models for Enhancing Energy Efficiency in the Community”.

The Best Practices Program for Local Authorities in Moldova was launched in 2005 by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Moldova, associations of mayors, the USAID “Local Government Reform” Project and implemented by IDIS “Viitorul”. The Best Practices Program aims to identify, harness and disseminate best practice among local authorities in Moldova, thus contributing to improving local governance.

50 files from 39 localities were submitted in the current edition of the contest, and in June and July the project team visited 23 municipalities in 13 rayons. In the energy efficiency area, 10 LPA I have submitted applications, including Tatarauca Veche, Soroca.

“This award is the merit of community citizens who support this project. We expect other energy efficiency achievements, as well” the mayor Liviu Raischi says.

The street lighting services benefit the 2,200 inhabitants of Tătărăuca Veche.  The modern and economical street lighting system for the six localities of the commune was established with the financial support of “Modernization of Local Public Services” Project, managed by German Development Cooperation through GIZ. GIZ has provided its support through the Regional Development Agency North.

As a total, 350 LED light fixtures were installed. They are operated through 13 electricity tracking devices. The network length is over 21 kilometers. As result of use of such modern installations, the electricity consumption costs are reduced by twice. The annual savings will amount to MDL 117,000 compared to the use of classical solutions, which are energy inefficient. The investment cost amounts to over MDL 3.4 million. The lighting system has been functional since January 2013.

The street lighting service is managed by the municipal enterprise “Tatarauca Service”, established in 2012. The cost, which is paid monthly, is 10 lei per household.

The employees of the company are advised by GIZ throughout the project implementation period. Moreover, the company office was renovated with financial support provided by GIZ, and equipment required for proper operation was purchased. The value of investments for service provider development amounts to about 1 million lei.  The municipal enterprise also launched the solid waste management service.

Under Energy Efficiency component, GIZ also supports another pilot project, namely enhancing energy efficiency at Orhei hospital, awarded in 2012 at “Gala Moldova Eco Energetica” Award Ceremony as “the best public sector project”.

The “Modernization of Local Public Services in Moldova” Project is implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ and is financially supported by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation (Sida), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania and the European Union.