New solutions for renewable energy promoted through the Covenant of Mayors

Signatories of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy are seeking innovative solutions for renewable energy. One remarkable practice that caught their attention is the cultivation of Miscanthus, a plant that not only serves as a biofuel for the production of thermal energy but also helps remediate contaminated soils.

The Institute of Genetics, Physiology, and Plant Protection in Chișinău has been at the forefront of this effort. In 2019, they launched a pilot project in collaboration with Termoelectrica and a British company to assess the potential of Miscanthus in the conditions of the Republic of Moldova. On a two-hectare experimental field, the plant demonstrated its adaptability to local climate and soil conditions. Encouraged by the positive results, a biomass-based thermal power plant with a capacity of 150 kW was built in 2020.

The benefits offered by Miscanthus have also captured the attention of Covenant of Mayors signatories, who visited the plantation and learned about the advantages of this plant. Mayors and local authorities in the process of implementing Local Action Plans on Energy and Climate were inspired by innovative solutions for renewable energy.

Irina Plis, a national expert in the EU project Covenant of Mayors-East, emphasised the importance of these new solutions, stating, “Although many mayors have included renewable energy projects in their plans, the challenge lies in implementing these projects. The voluntary commitment undertaken through the Covenant of Mayors is to reduce energy consumption at the local level by at least 30% by 2030, and now is the time to translate commitments into actions.”

Mayors showed enthusiasm for the potential of Miscanthus. Igor Hîncu, the mayor of Volontir village, highlighted the ecological benefits, stating that implementing this method would help address multiple environmental issues, including the energy crisis.

Miscanthus, a perennial grass originating from Asia, offers numerous advantages. Its reproduction through rhizomes eliminates the need for seed production, and once planted, it remains in the soil for up to 25 years, requiring minimal annual costs. Additionally, Miscanthus demonstrates adaptability to soils unsuitable for other crops and contributes to carbon capture and soil regeneration.

The visit to the Miscanthus plantation concluded two days of training dedicated to the implementation of Local Action Plans on Sustainable Energy and Climate (in the field of renewable energy use), organised by the EU project Covenant of Mayors-East. During the training, 25 representatives of local public authorities learned about the technical aspects of renewable energy projects and the best available practices to properly utilize resources in the planning and implementation stages. They also learned about funding opportunities offered by various sources, including the European Union through the Covenant of Mayors – Demonstration Projects.