Seven of the best sustainable energy projects were honored during the “EU-EBRD Sustainable Excellence Awards” as part of the Moldovan Sustainable Energy Financing Facility (MoSEFF).

“With this award, the EBRD emphasizes not only its continued support for Moldova’s energy efficiency efforts but also its support for the country’s banking sector. The commitment of the participating financial institutions and their close interaction with the MoSEFF implementation team are key success factors in efficiently deploying the Framework,” said Henry Russell, Director for Western Balkans, Croatia, Moldova, and Belarus, Financial Institutions at EBRD.

The winners of the EU-EBRD Sustainable Energy Excellence Award 2012 are:

1. Award for Industrial Energy Efficiency: MACON SA, Chisinau.
   The company saves 26% of energy and 208 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, thanks to a €48,000 MoSEFF loan from MAIB. The loan covered the implementation of frequency converters at the fan drives and a power factor correction unit for reactive power compensation.
2. Award for Energy Efficiency in the Food Sector: ORHEI-VIT SA, Orhei.
   The company saves 24% of natural gas consumption per year with the installation of new steam boilers, financed through a €520,000 MoSEFF loan from MAIB.
3. Award for Agricultural Energy Efficiency: MAGT VEST SRL, Dondusheni.
   The company reduced its annual fuel consumption by almost 42% and decreased its harvesting losses, thanks to a €2.3 million MoSEFF loan from BCR to replace outdated sugar beet harvesters and loaders.
4. Award for Energy Efficiency in Small Enterprises: COLOTEIA SRL, Chisinau.
   The company saves 38% of electricity per year, thanks to a €135,000 MoSEFF loan from MICB for a new meat grinder, vacuum bowl cutter, and sausage filling machine.
5. Award for Best Building Rehabilitation: Restaurant BUTOIAS SA, Chisinau.
   The restaurant saves 51% of energy yearly by insulating its building, installing new windows, solar collectors, and heat pumps, financed by a MoSEFF loan of €200,000 from MICB.
6. Award for Best Solar Project: VILA VERDE HOTEL UNGHENI, Ungheni.
   The hotel installed one of the largest solar systems in Moldova and improved the building insulation and heat distribution system with a €280,000 MoSEFF loan. The project allows the company to save 80% of final energy every year.
7. Award for Best Biomass Energy Project: AGROMAXER SRL, Straseni.
   The company, operating greenhouses, signed a €250,000 MoSEFF loan with MICB to construct a new boiler house, install new pellet boilers, and a near-soil heating system. The project enabled the company to reduce its carbon emissions by 100% and achieve an annual primary energy saving of 91%.