LocationsThree district hospitals in Moldova are using and storing solar photovoltaic energy thanks to the support of the Government of Italy and UNDP
November 20, 2025
Photo: UNDP Moldova
The Government of Italy has invested over US$500,000, through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in the installation of photovoltaic panels with a total capacity of 460 kW, as well as energy storage systems, at three district hospitals located in Strășeni, Cimișlia and Anenii Noi. The installation of these integrated solar systems aims to increase the energy resilience of medical institutions by reducing their electricity consumption, which in turn will translate into lower utility bills. The battery storage systems will enable hospitals to keep critical medical equipment operating in the event of power outages.
The panels installed at these three institutions will generate an estimated 506 MWh of green electricity annually and will reduce CO₂ emissions by about 237 tonnes per year.
Today, 20 November 2025, a handover ceremony for the photovoltaic installation took place at Strășeni District Hospital. The institution, which admits more than 7,000 inpatients annually, has received 242 photovoltaic panels. The system has an installed capacity of 140 kW for electricity generation and 164 kWh for storage, allowing the hospital complex to cover a significant share of its energy needs and to operate autonomously for several hours.
“By their nature, photovoltaic panels have higher productivity during the day, while electricity consumption is usually higher in the morning and evening. This is why the Ministry of Energy is promoting the installation of energy storage systems. These systems will enable beneficiaries to make better use of the green energy they produce and will also help to balance the power system,” said Cristina Pereteatcu, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy.
“These results clearly show that the energy transition in healthcare is not a luxury, but a necessity. Green energy in hospitals saves lives – directly and indirectly. It reduces costs, increases operational predictability and provides medical institutions with the stability they need to operate safely,” declared Angela Paraschiv, State Secretary at the Ministry of Health.
“For a hospital that operates 24/7, a reliable energy supply is essential for safe and quality healthcare. These three hospitals benefiting from photovoltaic systems and battery storage thanks to Italy and UNDP partnership are an example of energy resilience. These medical institutions will be able to maintain stable operations during voltage drops, peak demand, or wider grid disturbances. The savings on energy bills could be redirected to improving medical services for patients,” said Seher Ariner, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.
“Currently, Strășeni District Hospital spends between 900,000 and 1 million lei annually on electricity. Thanks to the new photovoltaic system, we will reduce these costs by 70–80 percent, which means savings of up to 800,000 lei per year. We will be able to redirect these funds into better medical services for patients. It is an important step, as our hospital is becoming a green hospital, in line with global trends in energy efficiency and sustainable development,” declared Anastasia Filimon, Deputy Director of Strășeni District Hospital.
Medical staff and local residents in Strășeni view these investments with confidence. Ion Cotelea, a resident of the town, says he would like such solutions to be easily accessible for households as well. “We were very happy when we learned about this project. The installation of photovoltaic systems is the future. At community level and at national level, it is a very good thing. The hospital will face lower costs in the future. The savings made will allow the purchase of medical devices and the improvement of services for patients.”
In Cimișlia, where the hospital complex has more than 5,000 hospitalized patients annually, 234 panels have now been installed. According to preliminary calculations, the system is expected to generate over 154,000 kWh per year, which represents more than 40 percent of the average annual electricity consumption recorded by the institution over the past three years.
In Anenii Noi, the district hospital is benefiting from 291 photovoltaic panels and battery storage with a total capacity of 62 kWh, which will cover more than 40 percent of the institution’s energy needs. The hospital was founded in 1986 and registers over 100,000 outpatient visits annually.
In addition to these investments, UNDP, with the financial support of the Government of Italy, carried out energy audits for 12 medical institutions in the Republic of Moldova. Based on the assessments conducted, several energy efficiency and renewable energy measures were identified. The total value of the recommended investments is estimated at approximately 172.8 million lei. Full implementation of these measures would generate cumulative annual energy savings of around 7,714 MWh and reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 2,081.7 tonnes per year. The audits provide a solid technical basis for future investments in the modernization of medical infrastructure, contributing to increased energy efficiency.
Previously, the European Union invested EUR 500,000, through UNDP, in the installation of photovoltaic panels with a total capacity of 600 kW on the rooftops of five hospitals located in the districts of Florești, Nisporeni, Ștefan Vodă, Cahul and Călărași. Another six district hospitals have benefited from energy audits.
In addition, thanks to the support of UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Sîngerei District Hospital has been equipped with an 84 kW photovoltaic system, which covers approximately one third of the institution’s annual electricity consumption.
