The Republic of Moldova has launched its first professional training programme dedicated to energy auditing in the transport sector. 21 professionals from transport, energy, and related fields graduated the course, which took place between 30 June and 4 July 2025. The training was conducted by the Technical University of Moldova, in partnership with the National Centre for Sustainable Energy (NCSE), with the support of UNDP and the Government of Denmark.

Energy auditing in the transport sector is a new field for the Republic of Moldova, unlike the building and industrial sectors, where an active community of specialists already exists. Until now, no energy audit had been conducted in the transport sector.

"The need emerged with the introduction of new regulations requiring large enterprises to carry out energy audits. These companies own not only buildings but also complex technological processes and extensive vehicle fleets. Therefore, it is crucial that energy auditors have a comprehensive understanding of all these components to evaluate energy consumption in an integrated manner," explained Irina Țerigradean, Head of the Policy Compliance Division on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the National Centre for Sustainable Energy.

Beyond the legal framework, the need for auditor training in this field is also driven by economic and environmental realities. The transport sector accounts for approximately 30% of Moldova’s final energy consumption and is one of the main sources of pollutant emissions.

"Currently, there are over 1.3 million registered vehicles in the Republic of Moldova, and energy consumption in transport is influenced by a wide range of factors - from the type of fuel and technical condition of the vehicle to infrastructure and even the color of the car body. It is a dynamic, open system, where more than 50 variables act simultaneously. That is why assessing energy efficiency in this sector requires a rigorous and well-founded approach - something we aimed to develop through this course," said Valeriu Lungu, Associate Professor at the Technical University of Moldova and course trainer.

In addition to the theoretical component, participants analyzed various case studies and completed an energy audit report at the end of the course.

"I have been passionate about energy efficiency since my university years, and I was eagerly awaiting this course. I think I was the first to register," said Irina Vasiliev, one of the graduates and a scientific researcher at the Energy Institute of the Technical University of Moldova. Although she has held a qualification in energy auditing for buildings since 2015, Irina wanted to expand her area of expertise. "This field has significant potential for reducing energy consumption and emissions. I want my work to contribute to the energy transition and bring about real change through solid audits and actionable recommendations,” she added.

Another graduate of the programme is Valeriu Meșina, entrepreneur and founder of a company specializing in automation and integrated energy efficiency solutions. With experience in several related fields, Valeriu sees extending his qualification to the transport sector as a natural evolution of his activity: "I already hold certifications for energy auditing in buildings, industry, and public lighting, and this new certification complements the portfolio of services I offer. Demand is growing, especially due to legal obligations for large enterprises and the strict requirements of financing mechanisms - where energy audits are a fundamental prerequisite."