Landlocked between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova is dependent on natural resources, especially gas. Tossed between Romanian and Russian powers for several centuries, the region keeps suffering from historical instability. In 2020, a pro-European political turnaround unfavourable to Russia reshuffled the cards in the region, mainly in terms of energy supply.
October 2021 : a state of emergency in the energy sector is declared at national level and the country’s energy supply has become uncertain. Energy consumption is rationed, lighting in public buildings is limited, and one can hardly predict what will happen next. The harshness of the winter is fast approaching.
Long before this crisis, some citizens have undertaken movements aiming at a form of energy autonomy. Whether institutional or personal, utopian or due to everyday needs, these initiatives are springing up all over the country. They offer a glimpse of an alternative future, off the gas grid.
« Here, I master the energy of the sun and the wind », states Mr Port in the backyard of his home. In the late 1980s, as Moldova was still under the hammer and sickle, this mathematics teacher began to develop tools that now enable him to come close to energy autonomy.
Thanks to an ingenious system of windmills, Mr Port can turn wheat and corn into flour, chop wood and sharpen knives, thus partially freeing himself from the need for natural gas. With the warmer season coming, he will be able to rely on a range of solar-powered machines to carry out other daily tasks.
Today, at the age of 73, he also opens the door of his garden to the curious who marvel at the creativity of the systems he has developed, as well as the sculptural works he creates and exhibits in his home.
Feștelița is the first « smart village » in Moldova. With the financial support of the European Union, this agglomeration of 3’000 inhabitants saw the inauguration in 2021 of a « Centre of Excellence in Energy Efficiency ».
Thanks to this initiative, public buildings such as the town hall, the cultural centre, the school or the high school are powered by solar panels. A photo-voltaic park is installed at the entrance of the village and the streets are lit by a smart street lighting system. With this pilot project, Feștelița becomes a model for other localities in the country.
Thanks to this initiative, public buildings such as the town hall, the cultural centre, the school or the high school are powered by solar panels. A photo-voltaic park is installed at the entrance of the village and the streets are lit by a smart street lighting system. With this pilot project, Feștelița becomes a model for other localities in the country.
Since 2011, Constantin has been harvesting the fruits of his labour in a village in southern Moldova. Unlike his siblings who left the country in search of a better future, he decided to take over the family house and transform it into an eco-housing based on permaculture.
Since 2011, Constantin has been harvesting the fruits of his labour in a village in southern Moldova. Unlike his siblings who left the country in search of a better future, he decided to take over the family house and transform it into an eco-housing based on permaculture.
By the first days of spring, fruit trees, beehives and aromatic plants will transform his garden. Although the region isn’t a touristic hotspot, a fertile soil and solid know-how allow Constantin to make a big step towards autonomy and energy sobriety.
By the first days of spring, fruit trees, beehives and aromatic plants will transform his garden. Although the region isn’t a touristic hotspot, a fertile soil and solid know-how allow Constantin to make a big step towards autonomy and energy sobriety.
However, the cold season is tougher: in addition to the freezing temperatures, tourism activity has been at a standstill since 2020, making winters difficult. Constantin also devotes himself to cryptocurrency farming, an online activity representing an additional income as long as it remains profitable in terms of energy costs. "From next month, the price of electricity will increase by 100%", he says. An increase that could spell the end of his virtual farm.
However, the cold season is tougher: in addition to the freezing temperatures, tourism activity has been at a standstill since 2020, making winters difficult. Constantin also devotes himself to cryptocurrency farming, an online activity representing an additional income as long as it remains profitable in terms of energy costs. "From next month, the price of electricity will increase by 100%", he says. An increase that could spell the end of his virtual farm.
However, the cold season is tougher: in addition to the freezing temperatures, tourism activity has been at a standstill since 2020, making winters difficult. Constantin also devotes himself to cryptocurrency farming, an online activity representing an additional income as long as it remains profitable in terms of energy costs. "From next month, the price of electricity will increase by 100%", he says. An increase that could spell the end of his virtual farm.
