Publications

Strategia pe Termen Lung a României: un pas esențial dar imperfect al Guvernului spre neutralitatea climatică

Săptămâna trecută, după o serie de amânări de la termenul limită inițial de 1 ianuarie 2020, Ministerul Mediului pus în consultare publică Strategia pe Termen Lung a României (STL), ghidul privind modul în care țara noastră va realiza decarbonizarea economiei până în 2050. Alături de Planul Integrat în domeniul Energiei și Schimbărilor Climatice (PNIESC), Strategia pe Termen Lung este unul dintre documentele cheie în sfera guvernanței climatice Uniunii Europene, pe care toate statele membre sunt obligate să îl formuleze. Tranziția verde presupune schimbarea structurală atât a economiei cât și a modului de viață, iar STL, care cuprinde scenarii de decarbonizare cu un orizont de timp mai îndelungat, stă la baza formulării unor ținte și politici pentru un parcurs coerent, predictibil și cât mai puțin disruptiv în atenuarea schimbărilor climatice. Totodată, STL are în vedere aliniera fiecărui stat membru la eforturile colective de decarbonizare ale UE și asumarea țintelor climatice. În baza întârzierii publicării Strategiei pe Termen Lung, în septembrie 2022, Comisia Europeană a declanșat procedura de constatare a neîndeplinirii obligațiilor (infringement) asupra României, iar la mai bine de doi ani de la termenul limită inițial, un prim draft a fost publicat. La consultarea publică pe noul document, Ministerul Mediului a prezentat invitaților, reprezentanți relevanți ai societății civile printre care și EPG, draftul strategiei care are la bază scenariul "România neutră 2050”. La dezbateri, EPG și-a exprimat îngrijorarea asupra faptului că scenariul ales de Guvern nu este unul cu adevărat neutru din punct de vedere climatic, din moment ce, conform calculelor din STL, ar rămâne emisii  nete de peste  3 milioane de tone de CO2 pe an. De asemenea, ar fi fost de preferat ca toate scenariile cu care a lucrat Ministerul Mediului să își propună neutralitatea climatică până în 2050 pentru România, iar autoritățile să aleagă traiectoria cea mai bună pentru a ajunge la această țintă. Dintre cele trei scenarii propuse de consultanți Guvernului, singurul care se apropie neutralitatea climatică a fost cel recomandat în STL. Mihnea Cătuți a punctat și o serie de neclarități regăsite în Strategie, precum faptul că anul de bază al modelării sectorului energetic pare să fie mai degrabă 2030, ceea ce nu permite analizarea utilității a multor investiții plănuite de autorități până atunci, precum cele în capacități de producere a energiei pe gaze naturale și cogenerare. Tot privind producția de energie, Strategia menționează că din anul 2036, toate capacitățile pe gaze vor fi înlocuite de hidrogen, a cărui sursă nu este însă specificată în modelare. La capitolul “Industrie” din STL, reprezentantul EPG a subliniat posibila nealiniere a Guvernului cu cele mai noi schimbări care se preconizează la nivel European privind certificatele de emisii (ETS) și de eliminarea alocărilor gratuite pentru industrie. Mai există neclarități și în privința clădirilor, cărora li se adresează un capitol, deoarece Strategia menționează doar 65% din necesarul de energie din sector, prin colectoare solare și pompe de căldură. Citate Radu Dudău - EPG President, despre prevederile STL și redactare: "Este lăudabil că Ministerul Mediului a prezentat, în sfârșit, draftul Strategiei de Decarbonizare pe Termen Lung (STL) a României, capitol la care guvernul nostru avea o restanță majoră în a explica direcțiile prin care economia românească poate atinge neutralitatea climatică până în 2050. Consultarea publică ar fi trebuit însă să fie mult mai substanțială și mai timpurie. Ar fi putut fi prevenite astfel o serie de incoerențe  și neclarități ale scenariului adoptat oficial, RO Neutră. Pentru sectorul energetic, este greu de explicat creșterea magică a ponderii hidrogenului verde după 2035, în condițiile în care ținta cea mai ambițioasă pentru regenerabile pentru 2030 (fără de care hidrogenul verde nu poate fi produs) este de doar 36,3% - mult sub procentul european de 45%. În încălzirea clădirilor, pompele de căldură ar urma să aibă o creștere mult mai moderată decât încălzirea pe bază de hidrogen, ceea ce este total lipsit de plauzibilitate economică. Dacă este ca STL să aibă cu adevărat un rol călăuzitor în planificarea tranziției energetice în țara noastră, documentul final va trebui să răspundă mult mai credibil unor astfel de critici." Luciana Miu – EPG Head of Clean Economy, despre impactul STL pentru industrii: “Este important că Strategia pe Termen Lung a României își asumă atingerea neutralității climatice până în 2050. Cu toate acestea, lipsește o abordare sectorială a politicilor și măsurilor concrete pentru a asigura scăderea emisiilor. În contextul politicilor europene și al competiției pentru produse cu emisii reduse de carbon, sectorul industrial are nevoie de măsuri concrete vizând combustibilii alternativi și captarea și stocarea carbonului (nu doar în sectorul cimentului și varului). Aceste măsuri presupun investiții masive, inclusiv în infrastructură, iar ferestrele de oportunitate pentru a efectua aceste investiții sunt din ce în ce mai reduse la număr în calendarul pentru 2050. Din acest motiv, Strategia pe Termen Lung trebuie să includă un plan clar de politici naționale care să deblocheze investițiile în decarbonizarea industriei din România. De asemenea, orice strategie pentru atenuarea schimbărilor climatice trebuie să aibă în vizor impactul social al măsurilor planificate. Acest impact nu se rezumă doar la locurile de muncă, ci și la indicatorii de performanță al economiilor locale, sărăcia energetică, mobilitatea socială, calitatea vieții și altele. Pentru implementarea de succes a Strategiei pe Termen Lung, măsurile de reducere a emisiilor trebuie implementate alături de comunitățile afectate de tranziția spre neutralitate climatică." Mihnea Cătuți - EPG Head of Research, despre țintele prevăzute în STL pe sectoare: “Publicarea draftului de strategie marchează un moment extrem de important pentru România - pentru prima dată autoritățile își asumă obiectivul politic de atingere a neutralității climatice până în 2050. Din păcate, însă, strategia nu prezintă niciun scenariu care să atingă cu adevărat emisii nete zero în 2050. Chiar și în scenariul RO Neutră, emisiile nete sunt de peste 3 MTCO2e pe an. Ne-am fi dorit să vedem 3 scenarii care să ajungă toate la net-zero și să prezinte mai multe opțiuni pentru atingerea acestui obiectiv. Pe lângă aceste aspecte, strategia are unele carențe care vor trebui rezolvate. Poate cea mai importantă problemă este ca toate scenariile consideră ca realizate o serie de investiții din domeniul energetic cu un aport climatic...

The Net-Zero Industry Act – a welcome spotlight and a warning bell for CO2 storage

The European Commission has recently published the Net-Zero Industry Act, a proposal meant to boost the Union’s autonomy when it comes to developing and manufacturing “net-zero technologies”. The Act lists carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) as one of eight key net-zero technologies for achieving the EU’s climate neutrality goals, sets a goal for storing 50 million tonnes of CO2 per year in the EU by 2030, and mandates Member States to clearly state how they will enable carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Regulamentul privind industria net-zero: ce înseamnă pentru România?

Pe 16 martie, Comisia Europeană a propus „Regulamentul privind industria net-zero” (Net-Zero Industry Act), menit să reducă dependența Uniunii de importurile de tehnologii necesare pentru a atinge țintele de net-zero până în 2050. Concret, propunerea are în vizor consolidarea industriei prelucrătoare europene pentru a crește producția domestică de tehnologii necesare decarbonizării, prezentând ambiția de a produce în Uniunea Europeană 40% din necesarul tehnologic al tranziției până în 2030. Acest regulament și negocierile care vor urma merită urmărite din perspectiva României, deoarece prezintă oportunități semnificative pentru dezvoltarea industriei autohtone.

Decarbonizarea industriei – un pas esențial spre neutralitatea climatică a României

Ca stat membru al Uniunii Europene, România s-a angajat să participe în eforturile colective de atingere a neutralității climatice până în 2050. Acest angajament presupune o reducere drastică a emisiilor de dioxid de carbon la nivel național, care în 2021 se ridicau la 74 de milioane de tone pe an. Deși soluțiile pentru reducerea emisiilor sunt bine-cunoscute și competitive din punct de vedere economic în sectoare precum producția de energie electrică, în altele procesul de decarbonizare prezintă provocări mai complexe. Un astfel de sector este industria, mai precis procesele energointensive ale industriei prelucrătoare, precum producția de oțel, ciment, chimicale și alte materiale.

Decarbonising Romania’s Industry

The steel, cement and chemicals manufacturing sectors are central to Romania’s economy. Operational facilities in these sectors consume significant amounts of electricity, natural gas, and water, as well as specific feedstocks such as coking coal, steel scrap, and limestone. The production landscape is dynamic, with some facilities closing and others reopening or planning to increase their production. Against this background, the challenge of decarbonisation is significant: for national emissions to reach net zero by 2050, Romania’s industry will need to reduce its energy consumption in half, undergo massive electrification and a switch to hydrogen and biomass, improve material efficiency, and implement carbon capture and storage.

Opacitate și discriminare în alocarea fondurilor europene pentru energie

Proiectul, care a stârnit imediat consternare în piața de energie, reprezintă o tentativă de oficializare a unei practici decizionale la vârful politicii prin care fondurile europene pentru energie sunt controlate în mod netransparent și direcționate necompetitiv către unele mari companii de stat, cu încălcarea flagrantă a legislației naționale și europene privind concurența și ajutorul de stat, dar și a prevederilor de transparență și nediscriminare din ghidurile mecanismelor financiare europene.

Tranziția inteligentă: necesitatea revizuirii proiectelor de investiții asumate în sectorul energetic din România

Rămân o serie de politici adoptate la nivel național fie înainte, fie după asumarea pachetului “Fit for 55” la nivelul UE, care ar trebui reanalizate în vederea alinierii la obiectivele mai recente și mai ambițioase din punct de vedere climatic.

Dezvoltarea energiei eoliene offshore în România până în anul 2030

As part of the ConsenCUS project, EPG is analyzing the narratives and perceptions surrounding carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) in Romania, where a novel carbon capture and conversion technology will be demonstrated in the near future.

Offshore wind – the enabler of Romania’s decarbonisation

Offshore wind power plays a key role in Europe’s pathways to reducing dependency on fossil fuel imports and decarbonisation by 2050, in a moment when EU’s energy security interests and climate objectives are fully aligned.

The impact of the proposed EU ETS 2 and the Social Climate Fund on emissions and welfare: evidence from literature and a new simulation...

Though this paper, we examine the literature for evidence on the effectiveness and economic and welfare impact of carbon pricing with revenue redistribution. We find that emissions reduction is moderate, unless carbon prices are high, while the economic and welfare impacts depend on the redistribution mechanism. With targeted redistribution, the policy tends to be progressive, helping reduce energy poverty and emissions at the same time. To add to the evidence base, we also present a modelling exercise of a theoretical carbon tax levied on all consumption goods.

Let’s talk about COP27

Within this new reality and the ensuing global crisis, COP27 was seen by some as an “oasis of diplomacy”, to quote US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm – a space where countries could come together to act on the global challenge that is climate change. But while countries did come together in some landmark agreements, they left Sharm-el-Sheikh without much progress on actual action to mitigate climate change.

Recommendations for Romania’s Long-Term Strategy: Pathways to climate neutrality

Long-Term Strategies are key instruments for Member States to meet their emissions targets. They vary in their concreteness, scope and level of detail, leading to uncertainties in how Member States will reduce their emissions to meet the EU's climate neutrality targets. This analysis reviews the Long-Term Strategy of Bulgaria and assesses how fit-for-purpose it is in providing a robust pathway for emissions reductions.

Phasing out coal in Romania: an assessment of the governance framework

Based on an assessment of best practices and other European experiences with phasing out coal, this report highlights the importance of setting into law ambitious targets for a coal exit calendar. Different policy instruments can be used to implement this, such as minimum CO2 price floors or scheduled retirements of individual power plants.

An assessment of Bulgaria’s Long-Term Strategy

Long-Term Strategies are key instruments for Member States to meet their emissions targets. They vary in their concreteness, scope and level of detail, leading to uncertainties in how Member States will reduce their emissions to meet the EU's climate neutrality targets. This analysis reviews the Long-Term Strategy of Bulgaria and assesses how fit-for-purpose it is in providing a robust pathway for emissions reductions.

What’s holding back large-scale renewable deployment in Romania?

Interest in renewable investments in Romania is back. It is now clear that renewable energy is the key to solving two of the main challenges currently faced throughout Europe: ensuring energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a net electricity importer and having faced stubbornly high electricity prices even compared to other EU countries, Romania stands to benefit greatly from further tapping into its renewable potential.

District heating in national Long-Term Strategies

As part of the Climate Recon project, EPG has analysed the role of low-carbon district heating in the Long-Term Strategies for climate neutrality of 23 Member States.

Circular Economy and Its Conceptual Hurdles

The concept of circular economy (CE) has become one of the most important pillars of climate change mitigation efforts as its implementation seeks to decouple economic growth from resource use.

Cât de pregătită este România pentru aprovizionarea cu gaze naturale în iarna 2022-2023?

România va reuși să atingă anul acesta un nivel de 28,7 TWh gaze naturale înmagazinate în depozitele subterane, aproximativ 87% din capacitatea totală disponibilă (peste ținta UE de 80%).

Propunerea Comisiei Europene de Regulament de intervenție de urgență în privința prețurilor energiei: Comparație cu prevederile OUG 119/2022

Propunerea Comisiei Europene de Regulament din 14 septembrie privind prețurile energiei în UE se bazează pe un efort de reducere coordonată a cererii de electricitate la orele de vârf cu 5%, pe plafonarea veniturilor așa-numiților generatori inframarginali de electricitate și pe impozitarea profiturilor suplimentare ale companiilor de combustibili fosili.

Analiză succintă a noii ordonanțe de urgență privind plafonarea și compensarea prețurilor energiei

Trebuie reamintit că actuala criză este una a penuriei de energie, parțial cauzată de agresiunea neașteptată și brutală a Rusiei asupra Ucrainei, cu declanșarea unui conflict energetic între Moscova și Uniunea Europeană, dar și de anii îndelungați în care nu s-au realizat investiții în producerea de energie.

Stories of carbon capture, utilization and storage – dubbed in Romanian

As part of the ConsenCUS project, EPG is analyzing the narratives and perceptions surrounding carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) in Romania, where a novel carbon capture and conversion technology will be demonstrated in the near future.

EU taxonomy of sustainable economic activities and its relevance for the Romanian energy sector

In this report, EPG analyzes the EU Taxonomy, a classification tool for sustainable economic activities, and its impact on Romania’s energy sector. The EU Taxonomy was meant to become the ultimate manual for financial institution to label their products as “sustainable”.

Policy brief: foaie de parcurs pentru avansarea captării și stocării carbonului în România

Acest policy brief rezumă foaia de parcurs pentru avansarea captării și stocării carbonului (CCS) în România, dezvoltat de EPG în cadrul proiectului CCS4CEE. În această foaie de parcurs, EPG prezintă o serie de acțiuni concrete care trebuie implementate de către guvern, operatori economici și alți actori, pentru a realiza proiecte CCS și a contribui la atingerea țintelor de decarbonizare ale României.

Policy brief: a roadmap for advancing carbon capture and storage in Romania

This policy brief summarizes EPG’s roadmap for advancing CCS in Romania, written as part of the CCS4CEE project. In this roadmap, EPG presents a list of actions for implementation by government, economic operators and other actors, to make CCS projects a reality and contribute to Romania’s industrial decarbonization targets.

A roadmap for advancing carbon capture and storage in Romania

As part of the CCS4CEE project, EPG has produced a roadmap for advancing carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Romania, building on its analysis of the context and opportunities for CCS in Romania.

E timpul să luăm în serios economisirea energiei

Invazia cu totul iresponsabilă a Ucrainei de către Federația Rusă a declanșat în Europa un efort masiv de reducere a dependenței de importurile de gaze naturale rusești. Acesta devine o mișcare către independența energetică și un viitor prietenos cu mediul, în care pot participa toți cetățenii, adesea descumpăniți de incapacitatea de a contribui la rezolvarea greoaielor probleme geopolitice și climatice cu care se confruntă societatea.

Energy Efficiency Directive Revision Impact on the Romanian Energy Sector

The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) is an essential instrument for achieving the energy and climate objectives of the European Union (EU). The recast EED aims to align its provisions – since many of them require increased ambition and enhancement of their scope – with the target of 55% reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030.

Opțiunile României pentru eliminarea dependenței de importuri de gaze naturale din Federația Rusă – Perspective pentru 2023, 2030 și 2050

Șocul geopolitic cauzat de invazia militară a Ucrainei de către Federația Rusă zguduie nu doar sistemul european de securitate, ci și securitatea energetică a Uniunii Europene, care își acoperă nu mai puțin de 40% din consumul de gaze naturale prin importuri din Rusia. Între statele est-europene puternic dependente de importurile de gaze rusești, România are o situație relativ privilegiată, fiind un producător semnificativ de gaze.

CLUBUL CLIMATIC – următorul pas după includerea României în grupul țărilor dezvoltate?

Finalul lunii ianuarie a fost marcat de un eveniment a cărui importanță nu trebuie subestimată: demararea negocierilor oficiale pentru aderarea României la Organizația pentru Cooperare și Dezvoltare Economică (OCDE).

Fondul pentru Modernizare: O urgență pentru tranziția energetică din România

Fondul pentru Modernizare (FM) este cel mai important instrument financiar european destinat susținerii tranziției energetice în țările Europei Centrale și de Est până în 2030.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and its implications for Romania

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a heavily debated legislative proposal for a carbon tax on EU imports from five key sectors (aluminium, cement, fertilizer, iron and steel, and electricity). [1],[2] It has been proposed as part of the Fit for 55 package, with the purpose of preventing carbon leakage (the relocation of carbon-intensive production of tradable goods away from the EU, to avoid carbon costs).

The Revision of the Energy Taxation Directive and its Impact on the Romanian Energy Sector

The current version of the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD) is deemed outdated and misaligned with the EU agenda of promoting renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction. The European Commission’s ETD proposal is a unique opportunity to address some of the missing pieces of the current framework and sets the ground for encouraging the roll out of new, sustainable technologies and products by: building the tax rates based on the energy content and environmental impact, widening the taxation base, by including energy sectors that are not in the scope of the current ETD (aviation, shipping), developing mechanisms to incentivize new energy carriers and technologies, such as hydrogen and storage.

Renewable energy directive revision impact on the Romanian energy sector

The current Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) is being amended, as part of a broader overhaul of EU climate and energy legislation, to update the target and the legislation for delivering at least a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. The European Commission’s RED revision is the key EU legislative instrument for promoting the uptake of renewable energy sources and lays the foundation for higher RES targets at EU level and in every member state, mainstreaming renewables in buildings, H&C, industry, and transport.

Clean Hydrogen in Romania – elements of a strategy

Decarbonising the EU economy will most of all require direct electrification of over 60% of end-uses, based on energy efficiency considerations. However, this will not always be technically possible or cost-efficient. Decarbonised molecules, such as hydrogen, will also contribute to eliminating ‘stubborn emissions’ in hard-to-abate sectors such as high-temperature heat and feedstock in industry, aviation and long-haul shipping, and possibly large-scale district heating and long-term electricity storage, thus increasing the flexibility and resilience of the energy system.

Romania’s Post COVID-19 Recovery – Enabling a Green Transformation of the Economy

The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed by governments throughout the world caused one of the greatest economic crises ever experienced given its magnitude and new nature. To assist countries to recover from the crisis and set their economies on a path towards resilient economic recovery, the EU agreed on a comprehensive financial package of €672.5 billion to be made available in the form of low interest loans and grants through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). To access these funds, member states must elaborate National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs), with investments and reforms in line with the broader EU objectives, including the green and digital transitions. The NRRPs must allocate at least 37% of expenditure to climate action and progress towards other environmental objectives of the European Green Deal.

COP26: hope and disappointment in the “new normal”

“New normal” has become the buzzword of a world still reeling from the Covid-19 outbreak. But as it sought to break through the new normal of lockdowns and restrictions, the 25,000-strong COP26 gathering in Glasgow may have become the latest addition to the “new normal” of climate change negotiations: bold commitments that inspire hope, while their implementation plans ring hollow and seed doubt.

Carbon capture and storage – the Gordian knot of decarbonization in Central and Eastern Europe

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) refers to a chain of technologies deployed to capture, transport and store CO2 away from the atmosphere, mitigating its warming effect on the climate. For each step in the CCS process, a range of technologies has been developed and tested for different industries and operating conditions, making CCS a complex value chain rather than a single, “off-the-shelf” technology as it is sometimes portrayed

Dobrogea – developing the first clean hydrogen valley in Central and Eastern Europe

In the European Union’s pathway to climate neutrality, decarbonised molecules such as hydrogen will contribute to eliminating ‘stubborn emissions’ in hard-to-abate sectors – e.g., high-temperature heat and feedstock in industry, aviation and long-haul shipping, and potentially large-scale district heating and long-term electricity storage.

COP26: hope and disappointment in the “new normal”

“New normal” has become the buzzword of a world still reeling from the Covid-19 outbreak. But as it sought to break through the new normal of lockdowns and restrictions, the 25,000-strong COP26 gathering in Glasgow may have become the latest addition to the “new normal” of climate change negotiations: bold commitments that inspire hope, while their implementation plans ring hollow and seed doubt.

Cum evităm viitoarele crize energetice prin deblocarea investițiilor în capacități regenerabile?

Creșterile fără precedent ale prețurilor energiei din ultimele luni au generat discuții aprinse despre cauze, designul pieței de energie electrică, prețul carbonului și dependența de importurile de gaze naturale. Răspunsul formulat până acum de legiuitori pentru rezolvarea acestor probleme (în principal, plafonări de prețuri și subvenții) nu oferă decât soluții de avarie, de termen scurt, care nu rezolvă disfuncționalitățile structurale ce pot duce la repetarea unor astfel de situații.

Executive summary: Assessment of current state, past experiences and potential for CCS deployment in the CEE region

This executive summary provides a brief overview of the report “Assessment of current state, past experiences and potential for CCS deployment in the CEE region”, written as part of the CCS4CEE project.

Assessment of current state, past experiences and potential for CCS deployment in the CEE region

In this study, EPG brings together the work of project partners in Work Package 3 of the CCS4CEE project. The resulting report is an in-depth analysis of the current context and opportunities for carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region.

Captarea carbonului, un vector de decarbonare în România

Captarea și stocarea dioxidului de carbon (CCS) poate avea o contribuție importantă la decarbonarea economiei europene și române.

Evaluarea stării actuale, a experiențelor anterioare și a potențialului de implementare a CCS în România

Acest raport prezintă o evaluare a contextului actual și a potențialului tehnologiilor de captare și stocare a carbonului (CCS) în România, condusă în cadrul proiectului CCS4CEE.

Assessment of current context, past experiences and potential for CCS deployment in Romania

This report presents an evaluation of the current context and opportunities for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies in Romania, written as part of the CCS4CEE project.

Code of Good Practice for Renewable Energy in Romania

The present paper comes at a crucial time in the country’s energy transition, to applaud past successes, highlight sector specific challenges and opportunities, and bring together public and private stakeholders united by one simple mission – creating a framework that is both climate friendly and economically viable, for the generations to come.

Ten Priority Areas for Romania Post COVID-19 Recovery: A Focus on Energy and Climate Policy

The post COVID-19 economic recovery represents a unique opportunity for setting Romania on a path of sustainable economic growth and for ensuring its competitiveness in a future decarbonised EU economy.

Falling behind the pack? Romania’s lack of ambition in non-ETS sectors may undermine the prospects for reaching the European Green Deal objectives

This policy brief argues that Romania’s lack of ambitiousness, especially in sectors that are not part of the Emissions Trading System, such as transport, buildings and agriculture, may both undermine the country’s ability to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and could put the Romanian economy at a comparative disadvantage compared to early movers.

Energy System Integration and the Role of Hydrogen

The sudden interest for hydrogen in Romania is lacking though a robust foundation in policy analysis and planning, having been fueled almost entirely by the momentum that the topic has received at EU and international levels.

Accelerated lignite exit in Bulgaria, Romania and Greece

All three countries can phase out lignite without implications for the security of supply, with only a few hard coal power plants remaining in the system – the study finds. The difficulties lie in job losses and an increase in end-user prices, which are both politically sensitive consequences of the phase-out.

The utilizes` payment postponement for three months may be a good idea but with high failure chances

Although sanctioned in the press as a populist and anti-economic measure, the draft law on deferral of payment to utilities for three months, is based on a correct idea of social protection.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on the European Green Deal: A Focus on Romania and Southeast Europe

The dip in carbon prices, also a result of lower energy demand, shows the adversarial impact that the coronavirus crisis can have on the European Green Deal. In Romania, a drop in energy prices threatens further investments in the sector, while potentially ill-conceived governmental interventions risk creating lasting and unforeseen imbalances

The day the oil markets crashed – again. Is this time different?

The global oil industry will continue to be battered by the constraints of climate policies, divestment and lowering returns. True, a depressed oil price environment disincentivizes investment in renewable energy sources, electromobility and, alas, energy efficiency – a lesson well learned in the aftermath of the 2014 oil industry downturn.

Oil markets in 2020: fundamental drivers and geopolitical uncertainties

The fundamental market drivers are pointing at a balanced oil market in 2020, with a Brent price mostly within the $60-70 a barrel – unless, that is, a massive escalation of the geopolitical tensions occurs, following the targeted killing of Iranian general Soleimani, causing large and indeterminate oil supply disruption.

Three stereotypes of the Romanian energy establishment

“Energy markets cannot be trusted, either for affordable prices or security of supply.” Closely related, this cliché is probably the easiest to notice in policy and regulation.

The Decarbonisation Challenge of Southeast Europe: A Case Study of Romania

This paper uses Romania as a case study to illustrate the SEE situation. First, this article briefly summarises the general European context and the framework through which member states will cooperate in the area of energy policy. Second, it showcases the energy and climate strategies of Romania. Third, it turns to some of the main barriers that the country is currently facing in reforming its energy markets. The final part of the article summarises the findings, while also suggesting some avenues that may be pursued to overcome the challenges of decarbonisation in SEE.

The opportunities of the Modernisation Fund for the energy transition in Central and Eastern Europe. State of play and implementation issues

One important conclusion from the workshop has been that there is a need for a dialogue between the Ministry of Energy and private and public stakeholders to discuss objectives and priorities in line with the long-term objectives of Romania and the EU.

The Draft of the Romanian National Energy-Climate Plan 2021-2030

The analysis carried out in this report shows that the manner in which the NECP draft accommodates the net increases in electricity generation capacity by 2030 for virtually all forms of primary energy – except for the natural gas units, whose aggregate capacity stagnates, and of coal, for which an implausibly low decrease is expected – is to rely on a massive increase in final energy consumption to 341 TWh in 2030 compared to 269 TWh in the PRIMES 2016 projection, and 300 TWh in the Romanian Energy Strategy 2019-2030, with an Outlook to 2050

The Governance of the Energy Union: A New Framework for Cooperation

One of the most important outcomes of this legislative act is the requirement for governments to produce Integrated National Energy and Climate Plans. These plans must elaborate on the main priorities, strategies and actions to be taken within a 10-year period, covering all the five main areas of the Energy Union (security of supply, the internal energy market, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and research and innovation).

The Governance of the Energy Union: A New Framework for Cooperation

One of the most important outcomes of this legislative act is the requirement for governments to produce Integrated National Energy and Climate Plans. These plans must elaborate on the main priorities, strategies and actions to be taken within a 10-year period, covering all the five main areas of the Energy Union (security of supply, the internal energy market, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and research and innovation).

Natural Gas: Facing a Pricy Winter

This analysis details the relevance of each component in the mix, explaining how gas shortages are usually dealt with, and presents the next regulatory steps essential to cover gas demand.

The centralized market as a prerequisite to a gas hub. Lessons for Romania

In a market economy, the term hub generally refers to the intersection of several commercial routes, where an abundance of merchandise from various sources prompts the closing of many deals “on the spot,” transparently, with amounts and prices known to all traders present.

The Outlook for natural gas in Romania and proposals for its value-added capitalization

This report analyzes the current natural gas sector from the point of view of reserves, infrastructure and market setup. The study also addresses the prospects for the evolution of different segments of natural gas consumption by 2030 and provides appropriate policy and regulation recommendations which would lead to the value-added capitalization, on the Romanian Market, of the expected Black Sea natural gas production but also of onshore deposits.

Proposals for Potential Energy Policy Priorities during Romania’s 2019 Presidency of the Council of the European Union

The post COVID-19 economic recovery represents a unique opportunity for setting Romania on a path of sustainable economic growth and for ensuring its competitiveness in a future decarbonised EU economy.

Energy Efficiency Drivers: Five Lessons for Romania from the IEA 2017 Energy Efficiency Report

How could Romania capitalize on such consistent evidence about how energy efficiency can actually work to the benefit of a state and its energy stakeholders?

Energy Poverty Today. Part I: Energy Access

This article is part of a series of three called Energy Poverty Today, presenting in a nutshell the main concepts and challenges of energy poverty.

Tackling grid loss

Grid losses are a matter of grid stability and therefore a matter of national priority. Every country in the world would want to include this matter amongst its critical governance topics and address it through its policies and stakeholders’ actions

Low emission road transport

The policy paper presents the main legislative provisions and European strategic objectives regarding low emission mobility and several recommendations for the transposition of European provisions in Romanian legislation.

Smart Grid Network: the next big step

Most of the world relies on electricity systems build around 50 years ago. These are inefficient and cannot offer an appropriate response to today´s urgent global challenges. The estimated investment requirements in energy infrastructure are $13 trillion for the next 20 years. This poses an eminent need and opportunity to shift towards a low carbon, efficient and clean energy system. Smart grids will be a strong enabler of this transition.

Three stereotypes of the Romanian energy establishment

Most of the world relies on electricity systems build around 50 years ago. These are inefficient and cannot offer an appropriate response to today´s urgent global challenges. The estimated investment requirements in energy infrastructure are $13 trillion for the next 20 years. This poses an eminent need and opportunity to shift towards a low carbon, efficient and clean energy system. Smart grids will be a strong enabler of this transition.

The little smart-meter that could

In Romania, the National Energy Regulation Agency (ANRE) has so far approved 36 SM pilot projects in 2015 and 2016 for all eight distribution areas, targeting approximately 270.000 points of delivery out of a total of 7.18 million, which means less than 4% of the population.

The new royalties’ framework in the Romanian O&G upstream

The Economy Ministry published in October the draft law for mineral, petroleum, and hydro-mineral resources. The document includes a much anticipated new royalties’ framework for the upstream O&G sector.

Romania´s energy strategy and petroleum taxation. Lessons from Norway

Romania´s petroleum tax regime is under review, with lingering uncertainty about its future design. The article discusses strategic considerations of this review, in light of the country expected (but equally unclear and overdue) long-term energy strategy.

History of unitization-based cooperation in the development of offshore cross-border deposits. Part I

This paper traces the history of how states came to cooperate in the development of offshore cross-border oil or gas deposits. First, it explains the shift in how a state´s offshore has come to be viewed from “open to all” to sovereign rights over an exclusive economic zone and finally to cooperation in the interest of all parties concerned. Secondly, it discusses the types of agreements states signed and the problems these agreements solve.

The clean energy transition and the geopolitics of technology metals

Wind turbines, PV panels and hi-power batteries are pillars of the transition to clean electricity generation and low-emission transports. Confidence in their future costs reductions is paramount for both investors and policy makers. But while such investments are expected to grow massively in the coming years, constraints of a different kind will have to be kept in mind.

The Oil Market’s Fall Upswing

Is this a turning point towards substantially higher oil prices? Most likely not. The same rebalancing mechanism of shale oil producers kicking in at higher crude prices will be prompted. However, we may well see a longer-lived equilibrium around $60 a barrel of Brent, which can make everyone happy for a couple of years.

Renewable energy and the conundrum of the Romanian irrigation system

Some say statistics lie and this is sometimes true. However, oftentimes statistical figures are so striking that underlying facts become obvious. At the European level, the irrigation systems differ a lot by technology, but also in terms of irrigable and irrigated areas. According to 2013 data provided by Eurostat, there are important discrepancies between member states.

Natural Gas in the Romanian Energy Mix: Strategic Importance and Circumstantial Barriers

Natural gas is the most important form of energy in Romania’s the final consumption structure. In 2015, gas accounted for 29% of the total demand, followed by oil products with 26%, 19% renewable energy sources (RES (including hydro), 17% coal and 9% nuclear energy. Gas consumption is almost equally divided between the domestic and industrial sectors – in the latter gas is used primarily in the production of electricity and as raw material in petro chemistry.

World oil market in 2017: Contango or backwardation?

Important market players already bet that days with oversupply of crude oil will soon to be outdated and that the market will return to balance – and therefore back in the situation backwards.

Turkmenistan’s gas hurdles: No end in sight

Plummeting oil prices and fallen revenues triggered a chain reaction in Turkmenistan, which has a current account deficit of about $6 bn. Ashgabat devalued the currency by 19%. There have been reports of massive food shortages and unpaid wages.

32 Gas market liberalisation. GEO64/2016 and its effects

How much will we pay for natural gas in 2017?

An analysis of the evolution of electricity prices in January 2017

Given that Romania is quickly moving towards the completion of a centralized natural gas trading market – including through the elimination, from April 2017, of the predetermined price for the internal production of natural gas – it is necessary to make use of the current mechanisms and specific regulations, and to introduce new ones, to limit the effects of possible massive price volatility caused by speculative behavior

Reflections on the New Romanian Energy Strategy

The Energy Ministry posted on December 19 the Energy Strategy of Romania 2016-2030, with an Outlook to 2050. It has been a long-awaited document, on which stakeholders have for years pinned hopes about favored energy policies and from which decision-makers, public and private, expect guidance in the coming years.

Romania holds first capacity auction for Isaccea – Negru Vodă pipeline

Romania’s capacity auction is a significant step in regional gas market opening. At the end of July 2016, Transgaz has signed gasinterconnection agreements with its Bulgarian and Ukrainian counterparts in order to increase interconnectivity and allow bidirectional flow from Ukraine to Greece.

Analysis on the constitutionality of the introduction of a tax on additional profit on the holders of oil agreements

The introduction of the additional tax must be fair, proportionate, reasonable, fair, and the level of taxation must be determined according to objective, rational financial criteria corresponding to the taxpayer contribution (according to the Romanian Counstitutional Court practice)

Natural monopolies:the case of Romania’s distribution network

In Romania, a number of industrial sectors that serve the public interest are strictly regulated – natural gas, railroad or electricity systems, to name a few. As such, for the local energy sector, and particularly for electricity, the transmission and distribution services are regulated as “natural monopolies”

The Threats that Cloud Romania’s Upstream Promise

Romania does offer potential for becoming a regional gas hub. Also, gas exploration, production and transportation networks still need innovative approaches, reform and development.

The household energy market in Romania is in a process of liberalization. Or is it?

The adoption of a system that will allow a step-by-step liberalization of energy prices has proved to be an inspired measure, as Romanians would not have been ready for a sudden, direct shift to a free market. The ongoing debates in the Romanian society on vulnerable consumers emphasize just that

Water tax for Hydroelectric Power Plants

This analysis focuses on the tax applied to the water used by hydroelectric power plants in Romania. This study also includes information on similar water taxes around Europe and a comparison between them and that applied in Romania. Although set in Romania in 2000 as a small tax meant to raise funds for development of hydro projects, this fee has increased significantly over the years, making it even harder for the hydroelectric producers’ activity. In the category of invented-out-of-nothing taxes one can find the fee imposed by NARW – the National Agency "Romanian Waters” (ANAR, in Romanian) for water used by power plants producing electricity from hydro sources (micro or large scale). True, this is not a fee that exists only in Romania, but it is nonetheless a bizarre cost that hydroelectric producers must pay. Actually, more than 40% of the energy produced from hydro sources in the 27 countries analyzed, at European level, incurs different types of water taxation. Out of these countries, 11 (9 of which are EU member states) pay different types of fees for hydro power generation, with Romania paying the most for water expenses, according to Hidroelectrica‟s (the main hydro electricity producer in Romania) special administrator.

Principles of a flexible and stable petroleum fiscal framework

Romanian Government’s new approach to the oil and gas fiscal regime has all the features of a rigid framework, with meager chances of remaining stable on the long term. But how should a flexible and stable fiscal framework for upstream O&G look like?

Oil royalties and the rule of law (or how the romanian state experiences a drop in self esteem)

A good deal of the political and media environment in Romania continues to promote or to dwell in confusion when it comes to the Romanian state´s gain from petroleum activities, popularly known as “the regime of oil royalties”.

The competitiveness of the refining industry in Romania and the EU

During the evolution of the Romanian oil industry, the refining sector emerged at the end of the 19th century by way of a massive import of foreign capital and advanced technology. In 1895 the construction of Steaua Română refinery started in Câmpina, one of the largest in Europe of that time, with capital of Deutsche Bank.

How are we to pay the energy bills?

The creation of a regional balancing market calls into question the commercial viability of the classical electricity generation capacities which ensure, at the national level, this service.

“Fit for fifty” and perhaps for more…? tax regime for petroluem activities

Nobody can deny the sovereign right of states to charge taxes on any activity including petroleum activities. It is of utmost importance when, why and namely how such fiscal measures are established.

Elements of an optimal fiscal regime for Romania’s offshore sector

The investment cycle of an oil project is long-term – typically 25-30 years, or longer for offshore projects. In addition, offshore projects in particular require large upfront exploration capital investments. Also, the investment risk for offshore exploration activities is high, and the cost recovery timeframe can be over a decade.

The Idiot’s Guide to Running a Country’s Coal Industry … into the Ground

Our case study of worst practices involves two-state owned businesses, Hunedoara Energy Complex and Oltenia Energy Complex. They are both nearly insolvent, while the Government continues to pump money into their rescue, without, however, any real assurance that the effort will be worth it

The Gemasolar Thermosolar Plant: one step closer to energy storage of the future

Photovoltaic is a unique concept, if looked at how fast this technology has been growing. In the next decade, global demand could be significantly fueled by solar power. Today, just 0.5% of the electricity comes from photovoltaics worldwide. It may seem like a small number, but in 1998 this was 0.003% and if the trend continues, in 2028 it will grow to 50%. Therefore, by then half of the energy demand could come from solar-powered plants.

Biogas: A high-potential, sustainable, yet untapped fuel in Romania

For Romania to increase its biogas production 50-fold, a step change is necessary, even if the level of support is sufficient to make most investments profitable.

Things to watch in 2015’s energy

2015 will be the year of new gas transport projects, which are to connect at regional level the Southern Gas Corridor to Central Europe´s North South Corridor. Domestically, the Black Sea coast will have to be linked to the National Transport System.

Hurdles in the Path of Romanian Gas Market Liberalization

The 2018 calendar was supposed to bring a 3% increase in household gas prices as of 1 October 2014, as a first step towards timely liberalization. In light of the burden that would have thus fallen on households ahead of presidential elections held in December, the Government, through its Department of Energy, requested this delay.
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