Hospitals in Nisporeni and Telenesti have undergone energy-efficiency modernization with the EU support
The E5P Fund and Nefco have implemented their first joint energy-efficiency programme in Moldova. As part of the programme, the maternity building of the Nisporeni District Hospital and the Polyclinic of the City of Telenesti have undergone comprehensive thermal modernization.
The energy-efficiency upgrades will significantly reduce energy consumption and environmental impacts and improve the quality and comfort of healthcare services for local communities.
On 17 June 2025, two healthcare institutions in Moldova, the maternity building of the Nisporeni District Hospital and the Polyclinic of the City of Telenesti, were inaugurated following major energy-efficiency modernisations. The projects were implemented as part of the first joint Nefco and Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) energy-efficiency programme in Moldova.
Prior to the project, the maternity facility in Nisporeni, which serves over 6,500 patients and some 270 hospital staff annually, had been grappling with high energy consumption, outdated heating and lighting systems and poor heat retention. The modernisation measures included thermal insulation of the façades and attic, replacement of the roof, installation of new windows and doors, upgrades to the indoor heating and lighting systems and replacement of old kitchen appliances with energy-efficient alternatives.
The total investment for the Nisporeni facility amounted to EUR 340,000, funded by a Nefco loan of EUR 206,000, an E5P grant of EUR 89,000 and a local contribution of EUR 45,000. The improvements are expected to decrease annual energy consumption by at least 30%, which coupled with savings in maintenance costs translates to approximately 60% in corresponding annual monetary savings for the municipal budget.
“The renovation of the maternity building at the Nisporeni District Hospital marks an important next step toward modernising our medical infrastructure in the district. The completed project will contribute to improved comfort for mothers and newborns as well as reducing maintenance costs for the facility. The initiative is part of a broader plan to improve energy efficiency in public institutions across the Nisporeni district to improve the health and safety of our citizens, focusing on sustainability and the development of critical infrastructure,” said Ion Diavor, President of Nisporeni district.
The Polyclinic of the City of Telenesti, one of the most frequently visited healthcare facilities in the district, faced similar challenges, including weak energy performance and outdated heating systems. As part of the building’s renovation, the façades, attic and basement were thermally insulated, the roof was replaced, modern doors and windows were installed and a 50-kW photovoltaic solar system was integrated to provide a sustainable energy source. Further work was carried out on water supply infrastructure, including the installation of hydrants and a rainwater sewage system.
The total investment in the Telenesti facility reached EUR 570,000, supported by a Nefco loan of EUR 318,000, an E5P grant of EUR 185,000 and a local contribution of EUR 67,000. The upgrades are projected to provide heat and electricity savings of 55% and 63% annually, resulting in overall cost savings of over EUR 75,765 (MDL 1.5 million) per year.
“The implemented energy-efficiency improvements at the Telenesti Health Centre will have a positive impact on citizens, benefiting both the quality of medical services and the environment. The savings generated from the completed project can be reinvested in necessary infrastructure and resources to support the community’s health services. The project will also contribute to educating the citizens of the Telenesti district, by implementing sustainable developments in the community,” commented Iurie Tulgara, President of Telenești district, in connection with the inauguration.
The modernisation of these two facilities is part of a broader programme, co-financed by Nefco and E5P, covering 11 healthcare institutions, including hospitals, polyclinics and family doctor’s surgeries, across four Moldovan districts: Floresti, Ialoveni, Nisporeni and Telenesti. With a total budget of EUR 2.1 million, the programme aims to reduce energy consumption, lower environmental impact and improve the quality and comfort of healthcare services for local communities, as well as enhance the operational efficiency of the targeted buildings and extend their lifetimes. Ultimately, the initiative will benefit approximately 26,000 patients annually and ensure satisfactory working conditions for more than 550 healthcare staff.
“We are very happy to see the remarkable results on the ground in these regions of Moldova. Modernising healthcare institutions and making them energy efficient is crucial for the people of Nisporeni, Telenesti, Floresti and Ialoveni. As the largest contributor to the E5P Fund, the European Union plays an important role in providing the necessary support to Moldovan municipalities to improve their energy efficiency. This will lead to significant energy and monetary savings on the road to greater energy independence for Moldova,” states Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.
“Sweden, as the largest bilateral donor to E5P, is very happy to have contributed to the completion of these two energy-efficiency projects. Sweden provides extensive, long-term bilateral support to Moldova for reforms that aim to facilitate the country’s path to EU accession. This support focuses on democracy, the rule of law, security, market economy development and the environment and climate. Energy efficiency is an important way to reduce energy consumption, benefit the climate and minimise costs,” says Lena Berglöw Elm, Senior Program Manager at Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
“The donors to the E5P Fund are proud of the results achieved in Nisporeni and Telenesti. The donor funds were catalytic, making these investments sustainable for local communities and vulnerable groups among the population,” comments Ewa Manik, Associate Director, Donor Partnerships at EBRD. “Together with Nefco, E5P is committed to assisting Moldova in strengthening its healthcare infrastructure while achieving tangible energy savings and environmental improvements.”
“We are delighted to see the successful completion of the first two projects under our joint programme with E5P. Through these upgrades, we are not only improving infrastructure but also enhancing the wellbeing of thousands of Moldovan citizens who rely on municipal medical services,” says Vitaly Artyushchenko, Chief Investment Adviser at Nefco. “Nefco is eager to support Moldova’s efforts to improve energy efficiency and sustainability for local communities in critical sectors like public healthcare.”
About Nefco
Nefco, the Nordic Green Bank, is an international financial institution (IFI) founded in 1990. Our task is to work with concrete actions to accelerate the green transition, and we serve the interests of our owners, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. In addition to our own capital, the Nefco Investment Fund, we manage several trust funds on behalf of various donors to support environmental and climate-related projects. By focusing on small and medium-sized projects with tangible results, we demonstrate how climate and environmental projects can be implemented and scaled up in a sustainable and cost-efficient way. We evaluate projects against our own demanding environmental criteria and the EU Taxonomy and asses their impact against the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Over the years, Nefco has implemented over 1,700 private and public projects across different sectors all over the world. Nefco’s headquarters is located in Helsinki, Finland.
About E5P
The Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) is a multi-donor and multi-International Financial Institution (IFI) support fund created thanks to an initiative by the Swedish Presidency of the European Union in 2009. The E5P Fund in Moldova totals EUR 71 million, including a EUR 1 million contribution from Moldova. The EU is the largest overall contributor with close to EUR 30 million. Other donors include the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Sweden. The funds are assigned to help Moldova make improvements in energy efficiency, energy security, economic competitiveness and policy dialogue, while having a positive impact on the environment. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) acts as the fund manager of E5P, providing administrative support to manage the fund on behalf of all stakeholders.
About European Union
The European Union is the largest contributor to the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) Fund, having contributed close to EUR 30 million of the total EUR 71 million pledged for Moldova. The European Union has played a central role in providing the necessary financial assistance to strengthen Moldova’s resilience over recent years and has offered targeted support. Since 2021, the EU has strongly reaffirmed its solidarity with Moldova by making available EUR 2.2 billion in loans and non-repayable support. Funding has been channelled through multiple instruments, such as direct budget support under NDICI, macro-financial assistance, participation in the EU programmes, blending and guarantees. The new EUR 1.9 billion EU support package called the EU Moldova Growth Plan will boost Moldova’s economy, bring the country closer to EU membership and provide significant financial assistance.
