Around 17 thousand inhabitants of Calarasi benefit from a modern street lighting system, which can be controlled remotely. The length of the street lighting network is 25 kilometres, it ensures energy savings and reduced maintenance and operation costs. Calarasi town has also become brighter after the architectural lighting of the building of the local Museum of History and Ethnography and 20 pedestrian crossings were illuminated according to European energy standards. All the energy efficiency measures were made possible due to the support of the European Union. The official launch event of street lighting in Calarasi town took place on 19 November this year, in the context of the European Climate Diplomacy Week and the European Sustainable Energy Week 2021.
The energy efficiency measures applied in the lighting system of Calarasi are part of the "Efficient public lighting in Calarasi – Firefly in the heart of forests" project. The project, implemented by the Calarasi Town Hall, in partnership with IDIS "Viitorul" is funded by the European Union through the EU Programme "Covenant of Mayors - Demonstration Projects" and is co-financed by the Calarasi Town Hall and the Agency for Energy Efficiency.
"Energy efficiency is a priority for the cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova, and this is shown by the energy efficiency projects implemented with EU support. I am glad to see that in Calarasi, like in many other regions where EU projects are implemented, the direct beneficiaries are the citizens whose quality of life is improved. At the same time, we, the European Union, through Team Europe, are confident that with energy efficiency projects we can contribute to a healthier planet of tomorrow. The European Union will continue to support such projects that bring tangible results to improve people's lives because we are stronger together!", said Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.
The technologies for the lighting system modernization in Calarasi town, applied with the support of the European Union, are integrated into a single system and are intended to bring added value to the whole project, but also to amplify the benefits and advantages of a public lighting system.
"Calarasi town was lucky to benefit from the project that literally brought light to the citizens of Calarasi. The "Firefly in the heart of forests" project enabled us to experience what it is like to have energy-efficient street lighting, managed by a remote management system. Also, as part of this project, the local museum has changed its appearance at night due to architectural lighting, and the impact for the tourism development and the architectural appearance of the city is far-reaching. The street next to the museum is lively, colourful and tourist-friendly. We thank our partners and the team who worked hard on this project" said Ion Olari, Mayor of Calarasi town.
As a result, 39 streets in Calarasi town have had their street lighting systems renewed. Altogether, 940 LED lighting fixtures have been installed in the city, operated by online monitoring, control and routing system, while the power supply cables were installed underground.
"The energy efficiency project was won in an international competition and together with all those involved we have put our shoulder to the wheel and achieved beautiful things in Calarasi. We have managed to rehabilitate and improve the efficiency of the street and road lighting system in Calarasi in order to contribute to increasing the safety and comfort of citizens at night. We are grateful to the EU Delegation and to the project partners for making this possible and putting Calarasi in a new light", noted Project Manager and IDIS "Viitorul" Director Liubomir Chiriac.
At the same time, the building of the Calarasi Museum of History and Ethnography is architecturally illuminated with 24 LED floodlights, and the museum courtyard is illuminated by several modern street lamps. This will encourage the organisation of cultural and artistic activities in the evenings and at night on the museum premises and will be an additional incentive for the museum administration to enrich the events’ calendar.
The total cost of the project is €680,750, of which €544,600 is a grant provided by the European Union and €136,150 is the national and local contribution provided by the Calarasi Town Hall and the Energy Efficiency Agency.
Calarasi town joined the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in 2012.
Background information
The energy efficiency project "Efficient public lighting in Calarasi – Firefly in the heart of forests" aims to increase the efficiency of the public lighting system in Calarasi and to strengthen the capacities of local public authorities to increase energy efficiency. In the long term, the project will provide actual savings of €6,500 per year, will allow the reduction of CO2 emissions and a sustainable energy management system will be implemented, and the level of safety and comfort of citizens and visitors will significantly increase.
The "Efficient public lighting in Calarasi – Firefly in the heart of forests" project is implemented by the Calarasi Town Hall, in partnership with IDIS "Viitorul" and it is funded by the European Union through the EU Programme "Covenant of Mayors - Demonstration Projects" and co-financed by the Calarasi Town Hall and the Agency for Energy Efficiency.
For more information, contact the project's Press Officer, Ana - Maria Veverița: ana.veverita@viitorul.org, phone +373 69424709 or visit www.EU4Energy.eu.
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