Some 150,000 people living in Moldova’s second largest city, Balti, will benefit from more environmentally friendly and energy efficient public transport with 10 new trolleybuses financed by the EBRD and the E5P multi donor fund, which supports projects in the EU’s Eastern Partnership.

The EBRD is providing a €2.5 million loan to Balti Trolleybus Department, a municipal company. The Bank has also requested a €1.2 million grant from the E5P to complement the loan. The E5P facilitates investments in energy efficiency and environmental projects.

The new EBRD and E5P funds follow a successful renewal of the Balti trolleybus fleet between 2012 and 2014. The city bought 23 modern trolleybuses, spare parts, power supply infrastructure components and other equipment. The upgrades were financed with a €3 million loan from EBRD and €1.6 million investment grant from the European Commission’s Neighbourhood Investment Facility.