Energy-efficient street lighting for Congaz and safe drinking water for Chirsova, thanks to EU support

March 29, 2018

Congaz, Moldova’s biggest village, enjoys street lighting at night time again, after a break of twenty-five years. A modern and energy-efficient lighting network of 40 km length was launched in Congaz. The local public service was created thanks to European Union (EU) support and contributions of local and regional public authorities, through SARD Programme, implemented by UNDP.

The public lighting system will contribute to higher security and comfort for over 12,400 women and men.

Mihail Esir, mayor of Congaz, tells the village spent several decades in pitch darkness due to deteriorated old networks and the locals were afraid to go out at nights. “It has required our joint efforts to install a system which can ensure not only proper lighting, but also energy savings and reduced maintenance and operational costs. Without the EU support, we would never be able to invest as much, and therefore enjoy this facility”, noted the mayor during the launching event.

Overall, 480 LED lights were installed in the village; they are operated through 14 electrical transformers. Unlike conventional street lights, this system will ensure up to 50% savings of electrical energy and associated costs. The invested amount was over EUR 92,614, including EUR 70,000 from the European Union and EUR 22,614 from the local public authorities and Gagauzia public administration.

Peter Michalko, the European Union Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, who attended the event, mentioned: "The event today marks the important support provided by the European Union to the people from Gagauzia. With infrastructure projects, assistance to local authorities, funds for small and medium enterprises, we are here to contribute to development and creation of favourable and attractive living conditions. Promoting and protecting access to fundamental resources means promoting and protecting the rights and the security not only of the present, but also of the future generations."

The population of Chirsova, a village from Comrat district, has also a reason to enjoy. 7,000 persons were ensured with permanent access to drinking water supplied from two water sources and a water tower. This system – established with the EU support and contribution of local and regional public authorities from the Gagauzia – was launched yesterday.

Up till now, only 6 out of 10 households from Chirsova had irregular access to water. The majority of the population was compelled to use water from public wells, quite remote from their households, with water below quality standards and hygienic requirements. “The implementation of this project will ensure constant supply of good water for all villagers, meaning that their health and living standards will improve,” said Serghei Sapunji, mayor of Chirsova, during the launching event.

SARD Programme has also helped to design a sanitation system for Chirsova.

The total cost of the water supply project was over EUR 92,970, including EUR 65,000 from the European Union and EUR 27,970 from the local and regional public authorities.

During the event, Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Republic of Moldova, noted: “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a dedicated goal on water and sanitation. We need to invest in an appropriate infrastructure, provide sanitation facilities to ensure the universal access to safe and financially affordable drinking water for all people by 2030. With the joint effort, we have made an important step in achieving this goal for the Republic of Moldova.”

By the end of 2018, 40 localities of the Gagauzia and Taraclia district will benefit from improved social infrastructure with the help of the EU offered through SARD Programme.

Being financed by the European Union with 6.5 million Euro and implemented by UNDP, the SARD Programme aims to boost the collaboration between central and local authorities, as well as among the regional organizations from Gagauzia and Taraclia district for fostering the social-economic development of the region, in particular, and that of the Republic of Moldova, in general.

Safe drinking water for Chirsova

Energy-efficient street lighting for Congaz