1,611 families from Moldova replaced their old appliances with new energy-efficient ones as part of the first 2026 session of the EcoVoucher appliance voucher program
According to the National Center for Sustainable Energy, beneficiary families purchased 726 refrigerators and 846 washing machines on favorable terms. Beneficiaries used vouchers worth 6,000 lei, which covered up to 70% of the cost of new appliances—refrigerators in energy efficiency classes A, B, C, and D, as well as washing machines in class A. All equipment complies with energy efficiency criteria and European Conformity Standards (CE). As Ion Muntean, Director of the National Center for Sustainable Energy, noted, the program's results confirm the population's continued interest in the EcoVoucher initiative, as well as a growing focus on consumption decisions based on energy efficiency and optimizing family budgets. Families not only gain access to modern and energy-efficient appliances but also improve their comfort and quality of life. This phase's beneficiaries included 1,105 families with minor children and 294 seniors over 63 years of age. A further 212 vouchers were used by beneficiaries with severe disabilities. Households were selected based on eligibility criteria and data from the compensatii.gov.md platform. A new category was introduced during this session: 10% of the total number of vouchers were allocated to individuals with severe disabilities. As EU Ambassador to Moldova Ivona Piorko emphasized, through the EcoVoucher program, the European Union supports Moldovan families, helping them reduce their energy bills and improve their daily living conditions. "Replacing old household appliances with energy-efficient ones is a simple step that strengthens energy sustainability, reduces emissions, and contributes to Moldova's green transition," she said. The EcoVoucher program was launched in 2024 to support vulnerable households in reducing their energy bills by replacing inefficient appliances with modern devices that meet European energy efficiency and compliance standards. According to the National Center for Sustainable Energy, 41,644 large household appliances have been replaced since the program's launch. Viorel Albu, Implementation Manager at GIZ Moldova, noted that each voucher used is a concrete step toward more efficient energy use and a more sustainable future for everyone. "Through this program, we support households in the Republic of Moldova in making smart decisions, purchasing more energy-efficient equipment, and reducing their monthly energy bills. As a result, families use more efficient appliances, consume less energy, and actively contribute to environmental protection, including through the responsible disposal of old appliances," he said. The EcoVoucher program was developed by the Moldovan government with the support of the European Union. // 27.04.2026 — InfoMarket.
