FERM 2025 | Veronica GARBUZ (“CET-Nord”, Republic of Moldova): “We are investing in modern technologies for an efficient and sustainable heating system in Bălți Municipality”
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
MOLDOVA REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM 2025
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, 9–13 July 2025
Thematic Panel:
Energy and the Transition to a Sustainable Energy System
Speaker:
Veronica Garbuz – Head of the Development and Planning Department, “CET-Nord”, Republic of Moldova
Presentation Theme:
“Modernization and Digitalization of the District Heating System in Bălți Municipality – Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, and Partnerships for the Future”
Within Panel 5 – Energy and the Transition to a Sustainable Energy System, Veronica Garbuz, Head of the Development and Planning Department at CET-Nord Bălți, presented the directions for modernizing the thermo-energy system and their impact on the local community and the environment.
CET-Nord Modernization: From Historical Debt to Energy Efficiency
“Improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring the company’s economic-financial stability, which enabled the settlement of historical debts totaling 280 million lei.”
Starting in 2014, with financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), CET-Nord launched an extensive modernization of the district heating system in the municipality of Bălți—the second largest city in the Republic of Moldova, with around 100,000 inhabitants.
Key achievements include:
- modernization of the combined heat and power plant and installation of high-performance boilers and steam turbines;
- replacement of pumps and fans with modern equipment;
- installation of 169 individual heating substations in 130 residential buildings;
- annual reduction of CO₂ emissions by approximately 45 tonnes;
- increase in thermal energy production by 60%.
These investments have contributed directly to energy security and to consumer comfort, through “direct control over residents’ thermal comfort,” as the CET-Nord representative explained.
Phase Two: Horizontal Distribution and Digitalization
Since 2021, the company has been implementing the Second Phase of the modernization project, which targets:
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expansion of horizontal distribution in about 30,000 apartments, equipped with individual heating substations;
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modernization of the water chemical treatment section;
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installation of a 240 MW thermal accumulator;
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implementation of SCADA and GIS systems for monitoring and thermohydraulic modeling.
“We will continue to invest in modern technologies to ensure an efficient and sustainable heating system. And we take responsibility for contributing to the sustainable development of Bălți Municipality. CET-Nord means warmth, comfort, safety.”
Financial Challenges and European Opportunities
The panel discussion also highlighted financing challenges. In response to a question from President Ion Ștefanovici (CAPDR) regarding the level of indebtedness, Veronica Garbuz specified:
“At the moment we can no longer take on additional loans—that’s the reality. But in the form of grants, yes. And we are open to initiating new collaborations and accessing resources.”
Participants in the Panel underlined the opportunity to access the €1.9 billion allocated by the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, much of it earmarked for the energy sector.
“You should start doing your homework in identifying those European financial resources that can cover this investment need,” recommended Ion Ștefanovici.
Partnerships, International Recognition, and Long-Term Vision
In 2022, CET-Nord received from the EBRD the Sustainability Award, recognizing efforts to modernize and reduce the carbon footprint.
Before the FERM 2025 participants, Veronica Garbuz presented the company’s main development directions:
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expansion of modern heating networks;
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integration of renewable sources;
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digitalization and implementation of smart grids;
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smart metering;
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increasing resilience to climate change;
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strengthening international partnerships.
Veronica Garbuz emphasized the importance of collaboration and synergy.
“According to the law of synergy, 2×2 does not make 4; it makes at least 5. Because synergy means the joint result of all partners’ combined efforts. That is why we are here: to gather as much information as possible and to establish as many partnerships as possible.”
Conclusion:
Veronica Garbuz’s contribution to Panel 5 demonstrated that the municipality of Bălți and the company CET-Nord are on a solid path of energy transition. Beyond financial and technical difficulties, the modernization projects have transformed a company burdened by historical debt into an example of efficiency and sustainability.
A few key ideas emerge: continuous modernization through investment in high-performance equipment and intelligent systems; the direct impact on the community through increased thermal comfort and consumption control; the need to leverage European funding opportunities; a long-term vision based on renewable sources and digitalization; and the importance of synergy and strong partnerships.
CET-Nord is no longer just an energy supplier, but a model of transformation and adaptation, demonstrating that the Moldova region can become a hub of innovation and energy efficiency in the European context.
