The community of energy auditors in the Republic of Moldova has grown by 29 new specialists who completed an industrial energy audit training program in march. The course, organized by the Technical University of Moldova (TUM) in partnership with the National Center for Sustainable Energy (NCSE), with support from UNDP Moldova and the Government of Denmark, provided participants with the knowledge and skills needed to help companies in the industrial sector identify optimal solutions for improving energy efficiency.

A key advantage of the program is that the graduation certificate allows participants to work as registered energy auditors. “To become certified energy auditors, specialists must be registered in the electronic register of energy auditors at the National Center for Sustainable Energy. This can be achieved either through completion of the master’s program in energy and environment or by finishing these specialized courses,” explains Dumitru Braga, Dean of the Faculty of Energy and Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Moldova. 

Of the 29 graduates, 21 have already registered in the NCSE register to carry out audits.

Industrial energy audits: complexity and mandatory requirements

Industrial energy auditing is still a relatively new field in Moldova compared to energy audits for buildings, where there is already a considerable number of professionals. “While energy audit courses and certifications for buildings have existed for some time, industrial energy auditing is still in its early stages. We are gaining new knowledge, especially in the context of emerging technologies and the use of renewable resources,” says Elena Vasilos, Vice-dean of the Faculty of Energy and Electrical Engineering at TUM and a graduate of the course.

The two categories differ significantly. “Industrial audits are more complex. They include not only buildings but also production lines and various enterprises that provide goods and services,” says Dean Dumitru Braga. This complexity means the industrial sector requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining technical expertise, process understanding, and the ability to propose economically viable solutions.

The need for industrial energy auditors is driven not only by energy transition goals or the growing interest of companies in reducing costs but also by new legal requirements. At the end of last year, the government approved a regulation mandating large enterprises to carry out energy audits by early next year.

Professionalism and competence know no gender

Against this backdrop, more and more women are entering the field of industrial energy auditing. If last year there were only five certified women in the sector, the latest course graduates brought that number up to fifteen—marking a step toward fairer representation in the field. Currently, the electronic register of energy auditors lists 54 specialists in the industrial sector.

Among the recent graduates is Irina Apostol, a project manager at the NGO Green City Lab Moldova. Although she was already certified in building energy audits, Irina wanted to broaden her area of expertise: “In the context of the global energy transition and decarbonization, it is very important to have competitive and energy-efficient businesses—this will directly contribute to the country’s economic development.”

Irina recalls that at the start of her career, female presence in the energy field was more of an exception. “There were very few girls in the faculty, and I, too, had the bias that engineering is mostly for men. But I was constantly encouraged by professors and colleagues.” Her experience working in teams confirmed that professionalism and competence have nothing to do with gender. “Developing an energy audit report is something anyone can do, regardless of gender. Especially in teams, where everyone contributes their expertise, the outcomes are always better when the work is collaborative.”

Elena Vasilos also didn’t let stereotypes stop her from studying energy engineering. “When I went to enroll in this faculty, the first reaction I got was: what, you want to climb utility poles? And I proved that it’s not like that,” she says with a smile, recalling her relatives’ reactions. Today, she is certified in industrial auditing, serves as vice-dean at TUM’s Faculty of Energy and Electrical Engineering, and believes the energy field is open to anyone who is passionate. “It’s a domain for everyone. I don’t see any reason why women can’t thrive here. On the contrary, we already have examples that show our potential is valuable. I would encourage girls not to be intimidated by words like ‘energy’ or ‘engineering’—there’s nothing extraordinary about them.”

The same belief drove Galina Verdeș, a scientific researcher at the Institute of Energy, to take the industrial energy audit course. “I’m pursuing a shared goal—to reduce our society’s energy dependency through industrial energy audits and the reduction of CO2 emissions,” she says.

With over 12 years of experience in the energy field, Galina began her career as a student, working as a trainee auditor at a private company. “I’m fascinated by this field. I really enjoy the energy sector. I love what I do,” Galina says enthusiastically.

Over the years, she’s taken part in numerous audit processes—a branch she considers highly technical and full of challenges. That’s why the decision to take the course came naturally. “I was really eager to conduct audits in industry, and when I found out this course was being organized, I knew it was the right time to get licensed in this area,” she says.