Governance and policy
Accelerating Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation in the Building Sector: Scenario for Achieving EU and National Targets
The revisions of EU legislative files, aligning with the net-zero emissions target for 2050 and the 55% net emissions reduction by 2030, are ushering in opportunities for the building sector to accelerate emissions reductions through increased energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures. Driven by advancements in energy efficiency and low-emissions HVAC systems, the building sector has shown significant untapped potential for decarbonisation.
To meet the updated energy efficiency targets, Romania must prioritise and accelerate the depth and pace of building renovations, focusing on upgrading the least energy-efficient buildings (classified as E, F, and G) to achieve higher performance ratings of class B or A. At least 16% of the building stock, starting with the most inefficient structures, should undergo these renovations.
Achieving the 2030 targets will require a substantial increase in renovation rates. In the residential sector, the current rate of 0.5% must rise to 2.5% by 2025 and 4% by 2045, while in the non-residential sector, the renovation rate must reach 2.4% by 2025 and 3% by 2030, stabilising at this rate through 2050. The role of municipal actors in delivering these targets has grown in importance. Setting realistic and achievable goals for heat pump adoption, alongside reevaluating energy consumption projections under the NECP, is critical for the clean transition in the built sector.
Constantin Postoiu, EPG Head of Data Analytics
Constantin Postoiu is the Head of Data Analytics at EPG, coordinating the process of collecting, processing and managing the data needed in EPG’s research projects. In addition, he coordinates data intensive projects that need advanced statistics or modelling techniques.
For the past nine years, using extensive knowledge in data analysis, Costin provided support for data-driven decision making both in the public and private sector. He is also a member of the Consultative Council for the Impact Assessment of Normative Acts (CCEIAN) within the Romanian Government, where he analyses the compliance of the supporting documents that accompany the draft normative acts, the impact studies and the reports on the implementation of the normative acts with the requirements and standards provided by the legislation in the field of impact assessment.
Costin holds a PhD in Economics, thesis Endogenous regional growth in Romania, from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. During this time, he published several papers on refereed journals, mostly on regional development. He also holds a Master and Bachelor in Economics from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies.
Contact: constantin.postoiu@enpg.ro
Romania’s Offshore Wind Potential: Policy Pathways for Sustainable Development
Offshore wind energy is a crucial element of the European Union’s decarbonisation plan. With substantial untapped potential in the Black Sea, Romania has the opportunity to become a regional leader, particularly following the adoption of its Offshore Wind Law in 2024.
Offshore wind energy has emerged as a pillar of the EU's decarbonisation policy. The EU is aiming for 60 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 300 GW by 2050. Romania, with significant untapped technical wind potential in the Black Sea estimated between 76-94 GW, could become a regional leader in offshore wind development.
Romania's adoption of the Offshore Wind Law in 2024 (Law No. 121/2024) is a major step forward in developing its offshore wind sector. However, there are still gaps that need addressing. A key issue is the timeline for actions outlined in the law, such as the public availability of information on the terms of reference for the Expert Study, which was supposed to be approved by September 2024. Additionally, the lack of a legally binding target is a concern, as it would help enforce timelines for secondary legislation and provide greater clarity to investors. Simplifying the permitting process is also crucial, given that developers must currently obtain approvals from multiple authorities.
Offshore wind development in the Black Sea should prioritise environmental protection, given the basin's unique characteristics and biodiversity risks. The enclosed nature of the sea, with limited water exchange and anoxic deep layers, makes it particularly sensitive to disturbances. Localised environmental studies are essential for understanding and mitigating the risks posed by offshore wind construction and operation. Lessons from Romania’s onshore wind projects and international offshore wind development can further guide environmentally responsible practices.
Romania adopted its Maritime Spatial Plan in November 2023, marking a step forward in aligning maritime activities with sustainable development. However, the MSP faces challenges, including insufficient stakeholder engagement during its development, which resulted in limited input from sectors such as fisheries, tourism, and local authorities.
Romania's infrastructure and supply chain readiness are key to unlocking its offshore wind potential, but gaps remain. Future production from offshore wind, onshore wind, and new nuclear capacities will need accelerated grid reinforcements and new HVDC lines, to ensure the evacuation of electricity. The Port of Constanța, while partially equipped, needs an upgrade to handle the storage, assembly, and transport of offshore wind components in a scenario intended to promote rapid growth and a higher volume of installed capacities. A global shortage of installation vessels presents another bottleneck, exacerbated by Romania’s lack of domestic shipbuilding capacity following the Damen Mangalia shipyard’s insolvency. To address these challenges, Romania could adopt Sector Deals modelled on the UK and Poland examples.
This paper was written as part of the project BLUECEE – Strengthening Policy and Governance Capacity for Blue Energy in Central and Eastern Europe. The project is part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The opinions put forward in this report are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
Mihai Constantin, EPG Researcher
Mihai Constantin is a Researcher at the Energy Policy Group, where he focuses on energy policies on topics such renewable energy and decarbonisation policies. As part of the Energy Systems Department he has contributed to a series of reports and policy papers addressing topics such as offshore wind development, solar energy potential, coal phase-out etc. At the same time, he engaged in advocacy activities with different stakeholders in order to promote the collaboration between public authorities, industry, and civil society on topics such as the development of offshore wind (through the Black Sea Renewable Coalition) or designating acceleration areas for renewable energy.
Mihai has a Master Degree in European Economics at Bucharest University of Economic Studies.
He has expertise on public policies in the fields of energy, climate change and economics. He also occupies a position of Senior Energy Expert at the World Bank. Before joining EPG, he worked for WWF Romania as Climate & Energy Manager and as Advisor on Public Policies in the Romanian Parliament.
Contact: mihai.constantin@enpg.ro
Planul Social pentru Climă în România: o punte între politicile climatice, energetice și sociale
Fondul Social pentru Climă (FSC) se dorește a fi un instrument care sporește eficiența și atenuează impactul asupra bunăstării ca efect al extinderii tarifării emisiilor de carbon în sectoarele clădirilor și al transportului rutier prin introducerea sistemului de comercializare a certificatelor de emisii (ETS2). FSC va ajuta gospodăriile vulnerabile și utilizatorii de mijloace de transport să reacționeze la creșterea prețurilor la combustibilii fosili prin facilitarea investițiilor în soluții cu emisii reduse de carbon. Acesta poate oferi, de asemenea, un sprijin direct temporar al veniturilor pentru a acoperi impactul inițial asupra grupurilor vulnerabile până când investițiile pe termen lung își produc efectele, dar acesta nu este principalul mecanism de sprijin.
Important este ca intervențiile FSC să abordeze în primul rând potențialul impact legat de introducerea ETS2. Această limitare a domeniului de aplicare, precum și cea a bugetului, înseamnă că acest instrument nu poate aborda problemele generale de sărăcie energetică ale unei țări. Cu toate acestea, veniturile suplimentare din ETS2 (sau alte surse de finanțare) pot fi utilizate în mod semnificativ pentru atingerea unor obiective similare în afara domeniului de aplicare direct al FSC, inclusiv prin mecanisme de finanțare complementare.
În România, cea mai mare incidență a ETS2 va fi limitată la minoritatea gospodăriilor conectate la rețeaua de gaze naturale, care se află în general în afara celor mai mici categorii de venituri. Pentru o gospodărie cu un consum mediu lunar de gaze naturale de 100 de metri cubi, un preț al carbonului de 45 EUR/t are un impact lunar de aproximativ 8,2 EUR/lună.
Deși nu intră direct în domeniul de aplicare al FSC, se preconizează că numeroasele gospodării rurale care utilizează biomasa lemnoasă pentru încălzire, deși nu sunt afectate în mod direct de ETS2, vor face tranziția către surse de încălzire mai convenabile - furnizarea de ajutor pentru ca acestea să treacă la soluții cu emisii reduse reprezintă o oportunitate. În zonele urbane, în ciuda declinului recent, încălzirea centralizată rămâne o opțiune relevantă care ar putea fi facilitată de FSC.
Impactul va fi mai răspândit în rândul utilizatorilor din sectorul transporturilor, unde combustibilii fosili reglementați de ETS2 domină mixul de combustibili. Pentru un preț al carbonului de 45 EUR/t, creșterea simulată a prețului este de 0,12 EUR pe litru de motorină și de 0,10 EUR pe litru de benzină. Îmbunătățirea accesului, a calității și a performanțelor în materie de emisii ale transportului public și accesul la vehicule cu emisii reduse sunt opțiuni viabile pentru punerea în aplicare a FSC.
În ansamblu, conformitatea cu FSC va necesita eforturi semnificative, colectarea de date, cartografierea programelor existente și justificări pentru măsuri și investiții suplimentare, precum și etape și obiective credibile. Cu toate acestea, acest proces vine, de asemenea, cu oportunități semnificative.
Recomandări pentru decidenții din România
Să profite de oportunitățile oferite de FSC pentru a aborda sărăcia energetică (și din perspectiva transporturilor) mai sistematic în România. Efortul necesar pentru colectarea datelor și conceperea PSC va fi substanțial și, cu ajutorul FSC sau al altor programe de asistență tehnică și de consolidare a capacităților finanțate de UE, ar putea fi utilizat în mod optim prin regândirea interacțiunilor dintre politicile climatice, energetice și sociale, prin colectarea și gestionarea mai multor date, reducerea erorii de excludere și abordarea surselor multiple și concomitente de vulnerabilitate.
Să conceapă măsurile din PSC în sinergie cu alte instrumente de finanțare, existente sau potențiale. Există multe interacțiuni posibile între FSC și PNRR, Programul Regional, Programul de Dezvoltare Durabilă, Programul pentru Tranziție Justă și Administrația Fondului de Mediu. Atunci când intervențiile necesare nu se încadrează în domeniul de aplicare sau în bugetul FSC, acestea pot fi completate prin intermediul altor fonduri.
Să permită o consultare cuprinzătoare și semnificativă pentru a se asigura că măsurile și investițiile sunt adaptate corect la nevoile grupurilor vulnerabile și sunt concepute într-o manieră incluzivă cu beneficiarii și autoritățile locale.
Ana-Maria Niculicea, EPG Researcher
Ana-Maria Niculicea is a Researcher at Energy Policy Group, in the Clean Economy programme. She coordinates research activities on climate governance with a focus on enhancing national climate governance and the social acceptance of the transition to a low carbon economy. Additionally, she conducts research on social acceptance of CCUS technologies in the Horizon2020 ConsenCUS project.
She holds a MSc in Politics, Economics and Philosophy from University of Hamburg and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from National University of Political Studies and Public Administration.
Contact: ana.niculicea@enpg.ro
The Social Climate Plan in Romania: bridging climate, energy and social policy
The Social Climate Fund (SCF) is meant to be a tool that increases the effectiveness and mitigates the welfare impact of the expansion of carbon pricing to buildings and road transport through the introduction of the Emissions Trading System 2 (ETS2). The SCF will help vulnerable households and transport users respond to higher fossil fuel prices by enabling investments into low-carbon solutions. It can also provide temporary direct income support to cover the initial impacts on vulnerable groups until the long-lasting investments take effect, but this is not the main support mechanism.
Importantly, the SCF interventions need to primarily address potential impacts related to the introduction of ETS2. This limitation of scope, as well as that of budget, mean that this instrument cannot address the overall energy poverty problems of a country. However, additional ETS2 revenues (or other funding sources) can be used meaningfully toward similar aims outside the direct scope of SCF, including through complementary financing mechanisms.
In Romania, the highest incidence of ETS2 will be limited to the minority of households connected to the natural gas grid, who are generally outside the lowest income brackets. For a household with an average monthly consumption of natural gas of 100 cubic meters, a carbon price of 45€/t results in a monthly impact of around €8.2/month.
While outside the direct scope of the SCF, the numerous rural households who use woody biomass for heating, while not directly affected by ETS2, are expected to transition to more convenient heating sources - providing help for them to leapfrog to low-emissions solutions represents an opportunity. In urban areas, despite the recent decline, district heating remains a relevant option that could be enabled by the SCF.
The impact will be more widespread on transport users, where fossil fuels covered by ETS2 dominate the fuel mix. For a carbon price of 45€/t, the simulated price increase is 0.12€ per liter of diesel and 0.10€ pe liter of gasoline. Improving access, quality and emissions performance of public transport and access to low-emissions vehicles are viable options for the implementation of the SCF.
All in all, compliance with the SCF will require significant efforts, data collection, mapping of existing programmes, and justifications for additional measures and investments, as well as credible milestones and targets. However, this process also comes with significant opportunities.
Recommendations for Romanian decision makers
Seize the opportunity of the SCF to tackle energy (and transport) poverty more systematically in Romania. The effort needed for collecting data and designing the SCPs will be substantial and could, with the help of SCF or other EU-funded technical assistance and capacity building programmes, be used optimally by rethinking the climate-energy-social policy interactions, by acquiring and managing more data, reducing the exclusion error, and tackling the multiple and concurring sources of vulnerability.
Design SCP interventions in synergy with other funding instruments, either existing or potential. There are many possible interactions between SCF and the NRRP, Regional Programme, Sustainable Development Programme, the Just Transition Programme, and the Environmental Fund Administration. When needed interventions do not fit within the scope or budget of the SCF, they can be complemented through other funds.
Enable wide and meaningful consultation to ensure the measures and investments are correctly tailored to the needs of vulnerable groups and are designed in an inclusive manner with beneficiaries and local authorities.
Ana-Maria Niculicea, EPG Researcher
Ana-Maria Niculicea is a Researcher at Energy Policy Group, in the Clean Economy programme. She coordinates research activities on climate governance with a focus on enhancing national climate governance and the social acceptance of the transition to a low carbon economy. Additionally, she conducts research on social acceptance of CCUS technologies in the Horizon2020 ConsenCUS project.
She holds a MSc in Politics, Economics and Philosophy from University of Hamburg and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from National University of Political Studies and Public Administration.
Contact: ana.niculicea@enpg.ro
The Whole-Lifecycle Approach in the Romanian Buildings Sector: Overcoming the Barriers
The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) demands EU member states to introduce measures addressing the whole-life carbon (WLC) impact of buildings, encompassing both operational emissions and embodied emissions across the production, construction, renovation, and end-of-life stages. Implementing these measures requires extensive structural transformations, posing challenges for countries that are institutionally unfamiliar with the concept, such as Romania.
An effective implementation of WLC requires a multidisciplinary and integrated approach to building decarbonisation, combining technology innovation, economic strategy, and adapted legislation. Likewise, it requires collaboration and coordination between a variety of actors in the buildings sector that play key roles in the stages of the building lifecycle and the wider ecosystem of sustainable construction.
Barriers that may impede the effective application of the WLC approach in Romania’s construction sector, along with proposed solutions to each, are categorised as technological, economic, legislative and regulatory, and cultural and public perception-based, with each set of barriers and solutions distributed across different stages of the building lifecycle.
Some of the most salient recommendations to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices in the building sector are:
establishing a strong regulatory framework and standards for sustainable, local construction materials as well as secondary, recycled materials, alongside expanding the recycling infrastructure.
driving investment and demand in sustainable constructions through instruments such as tax reductions.
prioritising renovation over new builds.
strengthening building stock databases.
conducting awareness and education campaigns to raise awareness of the WLC principles and the significance of addressing life-cycle emissions in buildings
Radu Dudău, EPG Co-founder & President
Radu Dudău is President and co-founder of EPG. He was, from 2007 to 2023, an Associate Professor at the Bucharest University. From 2006 to 2010 he was Deputy Director at the Romanian Diplomatic Institute (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
He graduated in Physics and Philosophy from the University of Iași. He holds a Dr. Phil. degree in Philosophy (magna cum laude) from Konstanz University (Germany) and a PhD in Political Science (International Relations) (summa cum laude) from the National School of Political and Administrative Studies (SNSPA, Bucharest).
He was a Fulbright Fellow with the National Security Program at Harvard Kennedy School of Government (2011), a New Europe College Fellow at the Danish Institute of International Relations (Copenhagen, 2006) and an OSI/FCO-Chevening scholar at Oxford University (1999-2000).
His work focuses on energy policy, energy technology, and energy markets.
Contact: radu.dudau@enpg.ro
Beyond Fit-for-55: How can Romania align with the EU’s 2040 climate target?
In 2024, the EU proposed a target of reducing GHG emissions by 90% by 2040, compared to 1990 levels. This target not only secures the pathway to climate neutrality by 2050, but also gives a clear signal of what the 2030-2040 decade will look in terms of fossil fuel phase-out, cleantech development and just transition, among others. The proposed 2040 target underscores the EU's commitment to aligning with the Paris Agreement while making significant progress towards its long-term goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
To help reach the Union’s climate targets, Member States are required under the EU Governance Regulation to develop long-term strategies for climate change mitigation.
Romania’s Long-term Strategy (LTS), adopted in 2023, sets a target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, provides a framework for interim targets, and proposes policies to achieve a cohesive and sustainable approach to climate change mitigation. It defines a clear interim target of 78% emission reduction by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels), reaching 91% in 2040. The adopted LTS could enhance Romania's contribution to he EU’s collective emission reduction efforts and achievement of climate neutrality by 2050.
These interim goals serve as benchmarks on the pathway towards achieving Romania’s longterm climate objectives, as they enhance predictability, safeguard against potential setbacks, and enable earlier investments in new technologies and infrastructure. Although the LTS aligns with the proposed EU 2040 target, Romania does not have a legally binding target for 2040 and the strategy still exhibits gaps and uncertainties regarding its implementation. These shortcomings add to other challenges Romania faces in meeting its climate objectives, especially given its reliance on fossil fuels, hard-to-abate industries, regulatory uncertainties and limited fiscal capacity. Uncertainties and risks may also arise from various technological, economic, or political factors, as well as public resistance to climate policies and geopolitical shocks. These risks must be mitigated through clear, robust policies and commitments at national and sectoral level.
Moreover, Romania has already submitted to the Commission the final version of its updated NECP (which is more ambitious than the LTS) and has adopted other key sectoral strategies (the National Hydrogen Strategy, the National Adaptation Strategy, the National Energy Strategy and the Romanian Industrial Strategy 2024-2030). According to the Governance Regulation, Member States should update their long-term strategies only if they deem it necessary. To align with the latest national and EU policy developments, enhance coherence, and increase certainty in the achievement of existing emissions targets and trajectories, a revision of the existing LTS may be due.
Ioana Vasiliu, EPG Senior Researcher
Ioana works as a Senior Researcher within the Clean Economy Programme of EPG. She holds a bachelor degree in management for public administration and a post university diploma as expert for sustainable development both from the Economic Academy of Bucharest.
Before joining EPG, Ioana worked for Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests as european affairs advisor within Climate Strategies and Reporting Department.
Over the last years, she has been involved in addressing climate change at national level, by developing policies and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects and impacts of climate change.
At international level she acted as rapporteur for climate change adaptation policies and NECP, is member of UNFCCC expert roster and coordinated Romania’s accession process to the OECD, in the field of climate change.
Contact: ioana.vasiliu@enpg.ro
Untapping Romania’s Biogas and Biomethane Potential
Biogas and biomethane will play an important role in achieving a cleaner energy mix and safeguarding the EU from external energy price fluctuations. Current projections estimate fossil gas to make up only between 2.5-6.6% of Romania’s energy demand in buildings by2050 (Energy Policy Group, 2022). Achieving the European Union’s net-zero target by 2050 requires reducing natural gas usage, and decarbonising gas where reductions are not possible. Biogas and biomethane have the technical potential to replace natural gas to a significant extent as a fuel of choice, especially for industry.
The use of biogas and biomethane incurs several advantages. Notably:
Biogas and biomethane can also build on the circular economy by improving waste management strategies and overall resource efficiency Biogas and biomethane offer the same system-level benefits as natural gas (seasonal storage, flexibility on the power market, heating, and ability to transport efficiently over distances).
Anaerobic digestion uses the same methane from decomposing organic matter which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
Biomethane has the technical ability to use the current gas grid, in theory avoiding some stranded assets. However, realising this benefit’s full potential requires high economies of scale, which are not yet foreseen.
Biogas and biomethane can also build on the circular economy by improving waste management strategies and overall resource efficiency
Nonetheless, there are some limitations to what can be achieved through these alternative fuels. Despite their high technical potential, projections of future biogas and biomethane production do not always properly consider sustainability criteria, resulting in exaggerated figures. Therefore, given the value of these resources and limitations in feedstock availability, the Romanian energy sector could benefit from a regulatory framework to incentivise the production of biogas and biomethane and ensure they are targeted where they can have the greatest decarbonisation benefits.
This paper gives an overview of Romania’s biogas and biomethane strategic targets and examines the existing Romanian production potentials in the context of the sustainability criteria specified in the new Renewable Energy Directive (RED III, 2023) to illustrate the gap. The paper will then outline lessons learned from EU countries that have successfully increased their production and examine trade-offs which must be considered in any future biogas and biomethane strategy in Romania.
Nadia Maki, EPG Senior Researcher
Nadia Maki is a Senior Researcher within the Energy Systems Programme of EPG. She is an energy policy researcher focused on renewable energy financing, green technology and innovation and emerging economies.
Before joining EPG, Nadia worked as an independent evaluator for renewable energy financing schemes for the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, evaluating schemes such as the Contracts for Difference scheme and the Capacity Market scheme. Nadia has extensive experience using theory-based evaluation methods. She has also contributed to projects for DG CLIMA, DG Environment, the Research Council of Norway, UN Women, the World Health Organization and ActionAid.
Nadia holds an MSc in Climate Change, Development and Policy from the Science Policy Research Unit and the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and a Bachelors of Arts degree from Queen’s University in Canada.
Contact: nadia.maki@enpg.ro
Importanța achizițiilor publice ecologice în decarbonizarea industriei din România
Achizițiile publice pot crea noi oportunități pentru dezvoltarea industriei cu emisii reduse de carbon
Ambițiile europene în materie de climă și mediu asumate prin Pactul Verde European responsabilizează statele europene, inclusiv operatorii industriali să își reducă în mod accelerat emisiile. Acest lucru presupune, printre altele, utilizarea de noi tehnologii inovatoare, înlocuirea combustibililor fosili cu surse curate de energie și eficientizarea consumului de resurse și energie. Transformarea fundamentală a industriei va fi, prin urmare, un proces de durată, care va necesita investiții majore din partea operatorilor industriali, dar și suport din partea statului pentru acoperirea costurilor semnificative de investiții, pentru extinderea și dezvoltarea infrastructurii necesare.
Există mai multe mijloace prin care decarbonizarea industriei ar putea fi susținută de către stat, fie că vorbim de facilități fiscale, granturi și subvenții sau mecanisme legislative de stimulare a cererii pentru produse cu emisii reduse de carbon, cum sunt sistemele de Achiziții Publice Ecologice (APE). Sistemele APE reprezintă procesul prin care autoritățile publice urmăresc să achiziționeze lucrări, bunuri sau servicii, care au un impact redus asupra mediului de-a lungul întregului ciclu de viață, în detrimentul produselor cu emisii ridicate de carbon. Potrivit economiștilor, este o alternativă mai eficientă pentru susținerea industriei în procesul de tranziție verde, cu impact mai limitat asupra bugetului național. Acest aspect este esențial pentru România, o țară cu spațiu fiscal redus comparativ cu state precum Germania și Franța, unde se acordă ajutoare de stat semnificative pentru decarbonizarea industriei.
Prin implementarea unui sistem APE funcțional, industria din România ar beneficia de predictibilitate și susținere în procesul de decarbonizare, menținându-și astfel competitivitatea pe plan european și global. În contextul presiunii legislative europene de reducere graduală a emisiilor de carbon, implementarea unui asemenea mecanism va contribui atât la creșterea avantajului competitiv al României, pe termen mediu și lung, cât și la atingerea țintelor de reducere a emisiilor la nivel național.
Care este legătura între competitivitatea industriei și APE?
Ultimii cinci ani au fost marcați de dezvoltarea și actualizarea unor politici europene esențiale în transformarea industriei. Pe lângă multiplele directive europene din cadrul pachetului Fit-for-55, declarațiile Comisiei Europene, din ultimele luni, au adus în prim plan importanța decarbonizării industriei în menținerea competitivității pe piețele globale. Potrivit unui studiu EPG, în absența unor măsuri concertate de decarbonizare, până în 2030, costul total de emisii pentru industriile oțelului, cimentului și chimicalelor din România va crește de patru ori, comparativ cu 2024. Această creștere generează un risc real de mărire a costurilor de producție, reducerea sau chiar relocarea facilităților de producție. Impactul asupra României ar putea fi, prin urmare, unul semnificativ.
Sectorul industrial contribuie cu 22,8% din Valoarea Adăugată Brută și asigură aproximativ 20% din actualele locuri de muncă. Mai mult, anumite industrii energo-intensive sunt importante din punct de vedere strategic pentru România, precum producția de oțel primar, care în alte țări din regiune dispare gradual, riscând astfel o dependență crescută de importuri. Pe de altă parte, emisiile generate de industrie însumează 14% din emisiile naționale, iar reducerea lor va implica în multe cazuri transformarea fundamentală a proceselor industriale, cu costuri investiționale semnificative.
Sistemele de APE reprezintă un instrument de sprijin indirect în procesul de decarbonizare. Ca urmare a implementării planurilor complexe de transformare industrială, acestea pot aduce un plus de predictibilitate și certitudine în ceea ce privește cererea pentru produsele industriale verzi. Implementarea unui sistem de APE în România ar genera cerere previzibilă pentru produsele ecologice din partea unui cumpărător major (statul)dispus să achiziționeze cantități semnificative de materiale cu o amprentă redusă de carbon.
Statul este cel mai mare achizitor: în 2023, ponderea achizițiilor publice la PIB-ul țării a ajuns la 19% în anul 2023 (aprox. 61 miliarde de euro), de la 8% în 2018. Mai mult, aproape un sfert din valoarea totală a achizițiilor publice este reprezentată de lucrările de construcții, care utilizează cantități semnificative de beton, oțel, și alte produse ale industriei energo-intensive, unde procesul de decarbonizare va fi cel mai complex. Achizițiile publice pentru aceste categorii de lucrări vor continua să crească (spre exemplu, România s-a angajat să aloce circa 2% din PIB anual pentru proiectele de infrastructură și transport, până în 2030). În plus, o proporție semnificativă a investițiilor în infrastructură este realizată prin fonduri europene, inclusiv prin Planul Național pentru Redresare și Reziliență, care condiționează realizarea proiectelor de îndeplinirea criteriilor verzi. Prin urmare, achizițiile publice ecologice pot influența în mod semnificativ evoluția și înverzirea economiei, iar investițiile în infrastructură și construcții ar putea deveni un instrument relevant de influențare a pieței pentru decarbonizarea industriei energo-intensive din România.
Rolul Planului Național de Acțiune pentru Achiziții Publice Ecologice 2024 – 2027
Până în prezent, utilizarea achizițiilor publice ca instrument strategic de decarbonizare a fost sporadic aplicat în UE, unde prețul cel mai mic reprezintă cel mai important criteriu de evaluare pentru peste jumătate din achizițiile publice din statele membre. La nivelul UE, există un cadru voluntar de APE, prin intermediul căruia au fost definite criterii ecologice pentru 14 categorii de produse, servicii și lucrări. Aceste criterii au fost adoptate integral sau parțial de anumite state membre (precum Olanda, Suedia și Italia), fiind stabilite ținte progresive anuale în cadrul planurilor naționale de APE. Criteriile se bazează pe instrumente precum evaluarea impactului pe întregul ciclu de viață (LCA) sau standarde și etichete ecologice, printre altele. Suplimentar față de criteriile voluntare, există câteva directive europene, cum ar fi Directiva privind Performanța Energetică a Clădirilor, ce includ criterii obligatorii care trebuie să se regăsească în achizițiile publice la nivel național.
Deși au caracter voluntar, obiectivul planurilor naționale de APE este de a transmite semnale clare pieței că există cerere pentru produse și servicii cu emisii reduse, precum și de a pregăti autoritățile publice și operatorii economici pentru achiziții complexe, cum sunt cele ce prevăd criterii ecologice.
România a adoptat Legea privind Achizițiile Publice Verzi în 2016, iar în 2023 a publicat Strategia Națională în domeniul Achizițiilor Publice (2023-2027). Recent, în septembrie 2024, Ministerul Mediului, Apelor și Pădurilor a lansat spre consultare publică noul Plan de Acțiune al României pentru Achiziții Publice Ecologice 2024-2027, care va înlocui planul expirat încă din 2013. Noul plan include o listă...
The Role of Hydrogen in Romania’s Low-Carbon Economy. Results of the Annual Decarbonisation Perspective Model for Romania
Key Findings:
Clean hydrogen will play a crucial role in decarbonising Romania’s industry and mobility sectors, with a significant production potential due to significant renewable energy resources.
To launch a clean hydrogen economy in Romania, coherent national policies prioritising hydrogen in industry and mobility, as well as clear plans for increasing renewable electricity capacity and building out hydrogen transport infrastructure are needed
Estimated domestic renewable hydrogen demand in Romania’s strategic documents ranges between 160,000 and 214,000 tonnes/year.
The results of the ADP model show that this demand would increase to 667,000 tonnes/year by 2050 if Romania is to achieve the emissions targets set out in its LongTerm Strategy for climate neutrality (LTS).
The ADP model shows that to enable cost-effective decarbonisation, clean hydrogen is best deployed for use in industry (particularly steelmaking) and mobility, rather than heating and cooling or power production.
According to the model, clean hydrogen could also be a key precursor in the production of synthetic fuels.
Romania could become a hydrogen exporter, with up to 4 GW of cross-border pipeline capacity enabling exports to other European countries.
Luciana Miu, EPG Head of Clean Economy
Luciana Miu is the Head of Clean Economy at Energy Policy Group. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings from the Imperial College London. Before joining EPG, Luciana worked for the UK Parliament and for the British Government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), as well as a consultant for Climate-KIC and London City Hall.
She is passionate about volunteer work, being one of the founding members of European Youth Energy Network and a professional speaker for conferences dedicated to the role of youth in energy transition.
Contact: luciana.miu@enpg.ro
Pathways for Decarbonising Romania’s Economy. Results from the Annual Decarbonisation Perspective Model
With the adoption of its Long-Term Strategy and the drafting of a revised National Energy and Climate Plan, Romania has made significant strides in planning the decarbonisation of its economy. Current strategic documents can be enhanced through more comprehensive and detailed plans for implementing cost-optimal decarbonisation pathways, backed by clear policy and financing instruments. To this end, Carbon-Free Europe, Evolved Energy Research and Energy Policy Group have prepared a detailed model outlining eight scenarios for decarbonising Romania’s economy. The results of the model point to the following high-level conclusions:
The reduction of final energy consumption is a primary decarbonisation lever, especially in the buildings and transport sectors.
Romania must increase its ambitions for the development of clean energy capacities, with a focus on solar energy coupled with storage in the medium term, and on onshore and offshore wind energy in the long-term. Nuclear energy can also play a key role especially if the technology sees significant cost reductions in the long run.
Electrification must be accelerated through the deployment of heat pumps for residential heating and electric mobility. The electrification of industry and foreseen expansion in industrial activity will further increase electricity demand.
While a short-term expansion in natural gas consumption is projected, especially driven by the power sector, demand across sectors is expected to gradually contract post-2030, with remaining consumption in 2050 coming mainly from residual use in industry.
Developing Romania’s electricity infrastructure is essential, including transmission and distribution grids, interconnectors, and storage capacities.
Hydrogen use must be prioritised for hard-to-abate industries and some segments of the transport sector. The cost effectiveness of hydrogen consumption in the power sector and for heat production is expected to be low.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure must be deployed immediately to facilitate industrial decarbonisation. No CCS applications are foreseen in the energy sector.
Interconnection capacity must be strengthened and developed for electricity, hydrogen and CO2, with Romania being expected to be a key regional player.
Romania is well placed for capturing CO2 from biofuels production, generating negative emissions and supporting the development of geological storage capacities. 10.Approximately €6 bn/year of investments are estimated until 2050 for electricity, hydrogen, and biofuels production, electricity and hydrogen storage, and carboncapture. With most EU funding sources being available only until 2032, Romania needs to plan how it can mobilise other public and private sources to maintain the pace of investments
Mihnea Cătuți, EPG Head of Research
Mihnea is the Head of Research at EPG, coordinating the research strategy and activities within the organisation. His expertise includes EU climate and energy policy and the transition in South-East Europe.He is also an Associate in E3G’s Clean Economy Programme, contributing to the work on industrial decarbonisation.
In the past, Mihnea was an associate researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), where he led the work on the future of hydrogen in the EU. He was also an associate lecturer in Public Policy at the University of York.
Mihnea has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Bristol and a Masters in European Public Policy from the University of York and the Central European University. He was awarded a PhD from the University of York with a thesis focusing energy and climate governance in the EU.
Contact: mihnea.catuti@enpg.ro
Underperforming Renovations in the CEE Region: Challenges and Recommendations
The Central and Eastern European (CEE) region faces significant challenges in meeting the building energy efficiency goals set by the European Union. Despite considerable efforts to renovate the region's building stock, deep energy savings remain limited, and renovation projects often underperform relative to expectations. With the built environment contributing nearly 40% of the EU’s emissions, and the continued fossil fuel dependence of CEE countries, improving building energy efficiency through renovation is an essential action for reaching the EU’s climate goals.
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) establishes a framework for improving building energy performance, including standardised calculation methodologies, minimum renovation requirements, and Energy Performance Certificates.
In alignment with the European Green Deal, the “Renovation Wave for Europe” aims to double the energy renovation rate by 2030, serving as a crucial step toward achieving the EU’s decarbonisation targets by 2050. The most recent revision of the EPBD, adopted in 2024, increases the ambition of building-related energy efficiency improvements, with particularly ambitious standards and goals for public buildings.
Considering the EU's energy efficiency targets, CEE countries face unique challenges, including an ageing building stock, dependence on fossil fuels, and inadequate insulation standards. Decarbonisation efforts are inconsistent across the region, often dependent on government initiatives and varying levels of climate action, and renovation rates reflect a sluggish pace of climate action. In particular, a lack of monitoring of the actual impact of implemented renovations leads to potential delays in achieving renovation goals and an inefficient use of public funding, often used to finance building renovations. To overcome these issues, meet energy efficiency targets and transform its building stock, the CEE region must learn from past experiences and best practices while strengthening policy and implementation frameworks for building renovation. This report shows that many renovation efforts underperform due to common barriers such as poor monitoring and data availability, limited financing, inadequate regulation, and a lack of technical expertise.
The OUR-CEE project aims to shed light on the gap between planned and actual energy performance in renovated public buildings and recommends key strategies to mitigate underperformance. The main goal of this report, part of the OUR-CEE project, is to identify the primary barriers and underlying factors contributing to the low performance of building renovations across the CEE region. It provides an in-depth analysis of the status of the building stock in four CEE countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, and Romania), highlights common challenges, and offers recommendations to advance policy reforms, enhance financial instruments, and foster innovative solutions to accelerate sustainable and energy-efficient renovations. By implementing these strategies, the CEE region could make significant strides toward overcoming underperforming renovations, thus progressing against its climate goals, while maximising ancillary benefits such as socio-economic development and public health.
OUR-CEE (Overcoming Underperforming Renovations in Central and Eastern Europe) is part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The opinions put forward in this study are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
Luciana Miu, EPG Head of Clean Economy
Luciana Miu is the Head of Clean Economy at Energy Policy Group. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings from the Imperial College London. Before joining EPG, Luciana worked for the UK Parliament and for the British Government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), as well as a consultant for Climate-KIC and London City Hall.
She is passionate about volunteer work, being one of the founding members of European Youth Energy Network and a professional speaker for conferences dedicated to the role of youth in energy transition.
Contact: luciana.miu@enpg.ro
Harnessing Solar Power: a Key Driver for Romania’s Decarbonisation Pathway
Solar energy is crucial for Romania to meet its decarbonisation goals and to contribute to the European Union’s 2050 climate neutrality trajectory. The REPowerEU initiative sets ambitious targets, aiming for over 320 GW of installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity by 2025 and nearly 600 GW by 2030.
Romania, with 1.8 GW of installed PV capacity in 2022, has experienced limited growth compared to countries like Hungary (4.2 GW) and Poland (12.2 GW). The solar power development in Romania has been constrained by several factors, such as legislative unpredictability, delays in the approving connection to the grid, and other bureaucratic hurdles. These challenges have affected the pace of deployment, with most of the capacity added between 2010 and 2016, driven by the green certificate support scheme.
The recent Energy Strategy outlines Romania's commitment to expanding solar capacity, targeting 8.2 GW by 2030, 21.1 GW by 2040, and 33.3 GW by 2050. Recent initiatives include a €3 billion Contracts for Difference (CfDs) scheme launched in 2024, designed to support solar and onshore wind projects. This scheme aims to install 5 GW of new capacities through two auctions: 1.5 GW in 2024 and 3.5 GW in 2025. Additionally, public and private financial sources, including the MF, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), the Just Transition Fund (JTF), and various schemes financed by the Environmental Fund Agency (AFM) allocate approximately €2 billion to solar energy. This is distributed as follows: €430 million for utility-scale PV, €1.4 billion for rooftop PV, and €104 million for manufacturing. By the end of 2023, Romania's installed capacities of rooftop PV reached approximately 1.4 GW, with expectations to surpass 2 GW by the end of 2024.
For Bucharest, with power demand for households exceeding 1.5 TWh in 2023, solar panels with a total capacity of 1.23 GW would be needed to meet demand. However, because of the intermittent nature of solar energy production, integrating effective storage solutions is increasingly important. We estimate a needed storage capacity of 2,911 MWh, which is equivalent to the battery capacity of 50,600 Tesla Model Y EVs. Besides, alternative storage technologies, such as seasonal storage of green hydrogen, should be considered in the medium to long term to optimise electricity consumption throughout the year. Despite recent advances, challenges persist in deploying solar energy. The most pressing issues include grid capacity constraints and imbalances experienced by prosumers, along with a lack of predictability in the EU funds implementation calendar and delays in the transposition of EU legislation. Addressing these challenges is decisive for accelerating solar energy adoption. To fully leverage the potential of solar energy and ensure a robust and sustainable energy future, we recommend the following: (1) align RES targets with the EU climate objectives, (2) prioritise energy storage, (3) ensure legislative predictability, (4) develop and adhere to a clear and transparent schedule for upcoming solar energy financing calls, and (5) attract investment in the PV value chain.
Mihai Constantin, EPG Researcher
Mihai Constantin works as a Researcher at EPG. In this position, he is contributing to the activities of the Energy Systems Programme. Mihai has a Master Degree in European Economics at Bucharest University of Economic Studies.
He has expertise on public policies in the fields of energy, climate change and economics.
Before joining EPG, he worked for WWF Romania as Climate & Energy Manager and as Advisor on Public Policies in the Romanian Parliament.
Contact: mihai.constantin@enpg.ro
EPG REPORTS — Assesing the link between climate governance and citizens in Romania: socio-economic impact and public participation
The transition towards climate neutrality that the European Union is undergoing may face challenges concerning the social acceptance of decarbonisation policies, due to a lack of effective public engagement and insufficient consideration given to the socio-economic impact of the transition. As climate policies evolve and start becoming more encompassing, potential regressive effects could directly impact consumers and households, especially those most vulnerable.
Tackling energy poverty and pursuing a just transition are among the most relevant methods for addressing the socio-economic impact. However, this report highlights the limitation of the current approach to dealing with energy poverty and just transition.
Romania’s efforts to mitigate energy poverty and ensure a just transition lack key governance features and leave substantial implementation gaps. Financing mechanisms, institutional responsibilities or targets and clear timelines for implementing policies and measures are sparse or not mentioned at all in Romania’s main strategic climate planning documents, the National Energy and Climate Plan and Long-Term Strategy, or the draft Romanian Energy Strategy 2022-2030, with a 2050 perspective.
This is particularly evident for the current approach to dealing with energy poverty and just transition. Energy poverty has long been treated as an isolated phenomenon, being insufficiently integrated in broader strategic documents. While there is some variation among strategies, none manages to address the issue in a compelling manner and the planned interventions are largely inadequate.
The contribution of national strategies to ensuring a fair transition is similarly uncompelling. The national framework for just transition lacks a definition for it and the concept is oftentimes coupled with measures to tackle energy poverty or addressing the coal phaseout, leaving other carbon intensive areas unaddressed. While the significant focus given to education and green jobs is important, Romanian strategies fall short on other just transition topics such as economic diversification, gender-based effects and policies, redevelopment of the affected areas.
The engagement and implication of the public in the design of Romanian climate policy have also proven insufficient, as it seems likely that not even the requirements for public participation of the Governance Regulation have been properly implemented. The analysis and survey that EPG conducted for this report highlight the lack of transparency and the informational gaps in the process of drafting climate policy, as authorities showed deficiencies in communicating with the public.
To anticipate and cushion an upcoming greenlash against climate policies that can emerge as a result of the current policymaking shortcomings, the current planning process should consider the following recommendations.
Energy poverty:
Integrate energy poverty as a cross-cutting topic across legislation in order to have a comprehensive and coherent framework.
Define targets for energy poverty, clear up institutional responsibilities and set up a data collection and monitoring system.
Develop and implement an integrated energy poverty action plan which should include clear and targeted social assistance measures, going beyond financial handouts and focuses on addressing the systemic causes of poverty.
Establish an energy poverty action group at the government level to integrate and coordinate the governance efforts.
Set-up one-stop-shops at the local level.
Just transition:
Offer a just transition definition and set objectives in national climate strategies.
Provide a plan or framework for economic and educational transformation, by offering targeted financial support and tailoring the plan to the local particularities.
Address other social consequences of the transition, such as the impact on women, loss of cultural identity and address the risk of school dropout for children in just transition regions.
Public participation:
Allocate additional resources (both human and financial) to the implementation of the public participation process.
Set clear and detailed procedures for public participation.
Ensure early engagement, at the incipient stages of drafting documents and define in legislation what is considered as reasonable timeframes for consultations.
Enhance transparency and access to information by making information publicly available through different channels in the early stages of the consultation process.
Enable different formats and create avenues for public participation to foster more input from stakeholders/citizens.
Enshrine in legislation a permanent stakeholder engagement platform on climate policy with representatives of industries, unions, NGOs, academia, research institutes, and local authorities.
Ensure that the input of the public and stakeholders is effectively incorporated in the final documents and facilitate feedback loops.
Ana-Maria Niculicea, EPG Researcher
Ana-Maria Niculicea is a Researcher at Energy Policy Group focusing on aspects relating to climate governance and the social acceptance of the transition. She holds a MSc in Politics, Economics and Philosophy from University of Hamburg and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from National University of Political Studies and Public Administration.
Contact: ana.niculicea@enpg.ro
Ce putem învăța din situația critică în care a ajuns sistemul energetic național în ultimele săptămâni?
Pe fondul unor temperaturi caniculare extreme, sistemul energetic național a întâmpinat dificultăți în satisfacerea cererii de consum la orele de vârf în ultimele săptămâni. Contrar unor opinii vehiculate în spațiul public, această situație critică nu a fost cauzată de adoptarea unui calendar de eliminare a capacităților pe bază de cărbune. De fapt, centralele pe bază de combustibili fosili au produs semnificativ sub capacitățile instalate teoretic disponibile în sistem, necesarul fiind acoperit prin creșterea importurilor. Pentru evitarea unor situații similare în viitor, este necesară accelerarea investițiilor în rețelele de distribuție și transport, creșterea capacităților de producție de energie cât mai curată, și a sistemelor de stocare, precum și dezvoltarea suplimentară a capacităților de interconectare cu alte state.
Alexandru Ciocan, EPG Researcher, Energy Systems Team
Alexandru Ciocan este cercetător la Energy Policy Group și a lucrat intens timp de aproape 10 ani în domeniul tehnologiilor bazate pe hidrogen, surse de energie regenerabilă și baterii litiu-ion. Deține un doctorat în științe inginerești de la IMT Atlantique, precum și de la Universitatea Politehnica din București.
Contact: alexandru.ciocan@enpg.ro
EPG REPORTS — Assessment of Romania’s draft updated NECP
Romania's climate policy is strongly influenced by the European Union's objectives to reduce emissions and achieve climate neutrality. By adopting the National Long-Term Strategy (LTS), Romania has committed to achieve a net emission reduction of 99% in 2050 compared to 1990 levels.
This study assesses the most recent draft version of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) by addressing three key questions: 1) How adequate are the proposed measures to achieve the emission reduction targets? 2) How robust is the evidence base for the proposed measures? 3) To what extent have stakeholders been involved in the development of the plan
The assessment is based on four groups of key performance indicators (KPIs): data, modelling and science; stakeholder engagement; the five dimensions of the NECP; and equitable transition and socio-economic impact.
Following the assessment, it can be concluded that the draft version is limited by a lack of holistic perspective, transparency and references to scientific literature. It does not incorporate enhanced climate objectives under the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) and the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation (LULUCF). The differentiation of emissions under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and ESR is missing, as well as detailed implementation plans. Sector specific measures, the use of renewable energy in industry and buildings and decarbonisation measures for the transport sector are also not sufficiently detailed. The draft does not fully comply with the requirements of the revised Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) or specify the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) target on renewable fuels. It shows a lack of ambition in terms of long-term renovation strategies and overall emission reductions, with no explicit plans to reduce gas consumption or improve energy storage. In addition, the document does not contain concrete measures to support research and innovation in renewable energy technology and adaptation to climate change. There is no mention of addressing impacts on social groups, health, education or regional development.
To increase the effectiveness and impact of the NECP, the following recommendations should be considered: (1) Increase the level of ambition of key targets such as solar and wind capacity development, grid-scale storage solutions, smart grid and CCS technologies; (2) Mandate the use of heat pumps in renovated buildings and extend renovation rates by 2% annually; (3) Upgrade airport infrastructure, create green shipping corridors, implement low emission zones, align industrial strategy with climate targets; (4) Creating the incentive framework for afforestation and reforestation, sustainable aviation fuels, allocating funds for research and development, promoting public-private partnership and developing a medium term investment strategy; (5) Clarifying institutional responsibilities and ensuring effective and transparent governance, involving stakeholders and empowering consumers; (6) Analyse the socio-economic impacts and extend just transition measures to all affected sectors by creating green jobs programs, supporting affected workers and addressing energy poverty; (7) Conduct a climate vulnerability analysis with performance indicators to monitor implementation progress.
Ioana Vasiliu, EPG Senior Researcher
Ioana works as a Senior Researcher within the Clean Economy Programme of EPG. She holds a bachelor degree in management for public administration and a post university diploma as expert for sustainable development both from the Economic Academy of Bucharest.
Before joining EPG, Ioana worked for Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests as european affairs advisor within Climate Strategies and Reporting Department.
Over the last years, she has been involved in addressing climate change at national level, by developing policies and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects and impacts of climate change.
At international level she acted as rapporteur for climate change adaptation policies and NECP, is member of UNFCCC expert roster and coordinated Romania’s accession process to the OECD, in the field of climate change.
Contact: ioana.vasiliu@enpg.ro
Why Romania needs to establish an independent scientific advisory body on climate change
Independent scientific advisory bodies are consultative organisations composed of various experts with the role of advising governments on climate policy and monitoring progress towards reaching climate targets. Their overarching role includes identifying the shortcomings in climate policy and offering scientific advice to improve it. Climate policy would thus be enhanced by linking the latest scientific evidence to policymaking and filling the gap left by the lack of institutional capacity and in-house expertise of the government. Through this influx of expertise, Romania could also gain more ownership over its climate policies, by enabling domestic debate and initiative, rather than merely transposing EU legislation.
Ana-Maria Niculicea, EPG Researcher, Clean Economy Team
Ana-Maria Niculicea is a Researcher at Energy Policy Group focusing on aspects relating to climate governance and the social acceptance of the transition. She holds a MSc in Politics, Economics and Philosophy from University of Hamburg and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from National University of Political Studies and Public Administration.
Contact: ana.niculicea@enpg.ro
Modelling of the Romanian Electricity Sector, 2025-2040
To reach climate neutrality by 2050, the European Union has set a 55% emission reduction target for 2030 and the European Commission has proposed a 90% reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Romania, through its multiple strategies and plans, has set out a vision for gradually decreasing its emissions. While these documents reflect significant strides forward for the energy transition, especially by committing to a coal phaseout calendar by 2032, they are fraught with inconsistencies and partly rely on sizeable investments in fossil capacities. Various projects on nuclear and hydro energy are also constantly announced with limited assessment of their suitability in an increasingly decarbonised power sector. In this report, we assess Romania’s energy transition pathway.
The European Gas Market Model and the European Power Market Model developed by REKK were utilised to understand the impact of Romania’s plans on emissions and the energy market and to see how Romania could resize its fossil capacity investments and achieve a carbon-neutral power sector in 2040. The models simulate a fully functional and liberalised energy markets to show the impact of different measures on wholesale energy prices.
Based on the modelling results several important conclusions can be drawn:
Romania can reach a completely decarbonised electricity production mix in 2040 with no security of supply risks by aiming to have no more than 3.5 GW1 of total installed gas-fired capacities by 2030 and by focusing more on wind power and a higher deployment of storage technologies. In contrast, the investments outlined in Romania’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) do not ensure a decarbonised energy sector by 2040. The Romanian power sector would emit 9.2 MtCO2 in 2030 (which can be halved in a lower-gas scenario) and 3.5 MtCO2 in 2040, at slightly higher wholesale electricity prices. Replacing natural gas with hydrogen in 2035 in the all-installed capacities (as outlined in Romania’s Long-Term decarbonisation Strategy) would mean that these assets would no longer be utilised. This is because replacing gas with hydrogen would significantly deteriorate the cost-competitiveness of these capacities, immediately reaching a utilisation rate lower than 0.1%, given the high fuel prices of 82 EUR/MWh in 2030, according to renewable hydrogen cost estimations presented in the draft National Hydrogen Strategy. There is therefore a significant risk that even ‘hydrogen-ready’ investments would continue to operate on fossil fuels for economic reasons, consequently not achieving their promised emissions reductions.
A higher focus on wind energy (17.7 GW onshore and 7.3 GW offshore in 2040,compared to 13.1 GW altogether in official plans) can contribute to decarbonising the power sector by 2040. Romania appears to have a regional competitive advantage in wind production. The market value of wind remains higher than that of solar for all modelled years, while lower wind investments are expected in Hungary and Bulgaria.
Even with higher renewable shares than presented in official documents, Romania’s power sector can deliver on security of supply requirements. The higher balancing reserve requirement can be accommodated through investments in storage (reaching 880 MW in 2030 and 3.4 GW in 2040) covered by existing hydro capacities, new storage installations and, until 2035, gas power plants. An annual installation of 800 MW rooftop PV and 120 MW in battery can further decrease balancing pressures and slightly decrease wholesale prices (by about 1.1 EUR/MWh in 2040).
A high renewables scenario would also have a positive impact on the electricity trade balance. In either scenario, Romania becomes a net exporter of electricity from 2030. 17.5 GW of solar capacities as well as 17.7 GW onshore and 7.3 GW offshore wind is sufficient to achieve a decarbonised power sector by 2040.
Existing hydro power facilities are key for balancing a renewables-dominated power sector. However, new investments in hydro capacities (including 300 MW in small hydro installations and a 1 GW pumped hydro capacity that would come online in 2032) would only have a limited effect on electricity prices and security of supply – assuming the mentioned battery storage investments are realised.
Hard coal and lignite phaseout are manageable from a security of supply perspective, even with lower than planned investments in gas capacities. Based on market prices alone, the modelling results show that coal fired production will rarely be economical from 2025 (expected capacity factor of less than 1%).
New nuclear energy capacities can contribute to achieving a decarbonised power sector, even if the planned investments suffer delays. The modelling results show that slight delays in the construction of new nuclear (two new conventional CANDU reactors and 460 MW of small modular reactors) do not pose security of supply risks, even in a lower-gas scenario of 3.5 GW installed gas capacities. Even with such delays, Romania would continue to be a net electricity exporter after 2030 based on the expansion of its renewable capacities, albeit the prices of electricity and CO2 would be slightly higher, because of the nuclear delay.
Additionally, the refurbishment of Cernavodă’s Unit 1, scheduled for 2027–2029, which will take 700 MW out of the system, will not pose supply security risks, even in a lowergas scenario. This is because significant new renewable energy sources (RES) will begin operating, with solar energy nearly doubling from 4.3 GW to 8.2 GW and onshore wind increasing by more than 50% from 5 GW to 7.9 GW between 2025 and 2030. Natural gas capacities will increase by 500 MW, and battery storage will see an approximately fourfold growth in the same timeframe.
Mihnea Cătuți, EPG Head of Research
Mihnea is the Head of Research at EPG, coordinating the research strategy and activities within the organisation. His expertise includes EU climate and energy policy and the transition in South-East Europe.He is also an Associate in E3G’s Clean Economy Programme, contributing to the work on industrial decarbonisation.
In the past, Mihnea was an associate researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), where he led the work on the future of hydrogen in the EU. He was also an associate lecturer in Public Policy at the University of York.
Mihnea has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Bristol and...
Bolstering the electricity grid: A priority to achieve Romania’s 2030 decarbonisation objectives
Electricity grids play a critical role in the European Union’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and become climate neutral by 2050. They must accommodate an increasing demand of clean electricity in transports, buildings’ heating and cooling, industry, production of green hydrogen, and data centres. Projections indicate a surge in electricity consumption of no less than 60% between 2023 and 2030 at EU and UK level.
According to the draft NECP, Romania’s electricity consumption is expected to grow by approximately 38% until 2030, from 46.5 TWh in 2021 to 64 TWh. The increase will be driven by the electrification of several economic sectors. The adoption of heat pumps, along with a steady rise in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) will visibly add to higher electricity consumption.
The European Commission (EC) estimates needed investments of €584bn in the power grids to achieve the integration of vastly increased RES generation – 42.5% by 2030. The figure includes both the distribution and transmission networks, with about of €170bn required for digitalisation (EU Action Plan for Grids, 2023). As Romania charts its course toward a sustainable and decarbonised energy future, the importance of expanding and modernising the transmission and distribution grids cannot be overstated. Grid infrastructure forms the backbone of the energy transition, facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) and ensuring a reliable and efficient delivery of electricity to consumers, as well as their empowerment according to the new electricity market design.
The investment needs for Romania’s electricity grids are substantial, with €6.8bn earmarked for transmission and an estimated €9.2 - 11.5bn required for distribution. Such investments are essential to accommodate the growing RES capacity and to meet the targets outlined in the draft NECP. Failure to adequately invest in the power grid risks bottlenecking the transition to clean energy and Romania’s ability to achieve its climate and energy objectives.
Investing in the power grid development represents a critical opportunity for Romania to modernise its energy infrastructure, enhance grid resilience, and drive economic growth. Strategic investment in grid modernisation will improve energy efficiency, reduce transmission losses, and bolster reliability, ultimately benefitting consumers and businesses alike. To realise these benefits, the following recommendations should be considered:
Stable and clear regulatory framework that supports investments
Increased funding from EU mechanisms such as the Modernisation Fund (MF)
Consistence between the national strategic documents
Ensure adequate workforce for grid development
Prepare for a back-up scenario in which not all investment needs are met by 2030.
Alina Arsani, EPG Head of Energy Systems
Alina Arsani is leading the Energy Systems Programme of EPG. She has experience in (macro) economic analysis and public affairs, being specialised in public policies assessment.
She is a PhD candidate at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, where she taught microeconomics and macroeconomics courses for undergraduate students.
Before joining EPG, Alina worked for the Department for Foreign Investments and Trade within the Romanian Government, as well as a public affairs expert for one of the largest utility companies in Romania and as a manager for PwC Romania.
Contact: alina.arsani@enpg.ro
Rezultatele modelului Annual Decarbonisation Perspective privind o traiectorie spre atingerea țintelor de emisii din PNIESC și STL pentru România
Revizuirea Planului Național Integrat privind Energia și Schimbările Climatice (PNIESC) reprezintă o oportunitate de a explora opțiunile României pentru reducerea cu 99% a emisiilor de gaze cu efect de seră (GES) până în 2050 și cu 78% până în 2030, ținte stabilite în Strategia pe Termen Lung (STL) și incluse în forma draft a PNIESC.
Can the Net Zero Industry Act boost Romania’s cleantech sectors?
The Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) agreement between the Council and the European Parliament establishes a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net zero technologies and manufacturing ecosystem. The regulation aims to boost domestic production of clean technologies so that EU member states may develop a more even, competitive and green industrial sector fit for a carbon-free world.
Still, Europe's response to the US Inflation Reduction Act, agreed upon last month, both delivers and underdelivers, according to EPG’s experts.
While the new provision to speed-up permitting for production sites for clean technologies and the introduction of net zero acceleration valleys will for sure be beneficial to enabling cleantech manufacturing in the EU, many implementation details are left for the member-states to figure out on their own.
Quotes
Luciana Miu – EPG Head of Clean Economy, on NZIA's meaning for Romania:
"The European Parliament and Council have reached an agreement on the NZIA, a key policy underpinning the EU’s transition to net zero. Its effect on Member States will no doubt be profound: if appropriately implemented, the Act will enable a new paradigm of green growth and industrial transformation in the global race to scale up net zero technologies.
For Romania, opportunities abound to become a low-carbon hub for Central and Eastern Europe. The NZIA’s obligations on speeding up permitting can help remove longstanding administrative barriers for Romania’s development of clean energy projects, while non-price resilience criteria can trickle down to enable nearshoring and local economic development. Through its obligation to develop geological CO2 storage, the NZIA will also launch carbon capture and storage in Romania, crucial to decarbonising the cement industry and enabling future negative emissions.
The NZIA is not without its flaws. Its relatively vague definitions of net zero technologies can lead to superficial application, without due consideration of actual life-cycle climate and economic impact. Romania must ensure that implementation of the NZIA follows a clear strategy for smart, sustainable growth and transformation in line with nationally adopted climate targets."
Contact Person
Luciana Miu – EPG Head of Clean Economy: luciana.miu@enpg.ro
Romania’s climate strategies: a missed opportunity to support industrial transformation
It is difficult to overstate the urgency and magnitude of Romania’s industrial transformation. Heavy industry sectors such as steel, cement, and chemicals employ thousands of workers and are key contributors to the national economy. But their conventional, carbon-intensive processes are becoming increasingly obsolete in a world rapidly moving towards sustainable forms of production, as the competitive edge in industry slowly shifts from cheap to green. Transforming these processes is a sizeable challenge, but also an opportunity of significant proportions.
By 2034, Romania’s steel, cement, and chemicals manufacturers, all sectors deemed to be at risk of carbon leakage, will no longer benefit from exemptions from paying for their emissions. In today’s carbon prices, this could mean costs of €60 million per year just for emissions for a plant producing 1 million tonnes (Mt) of cement; close to double if EU carbon prices rise as predicted by some models. There is one decade left for Romania’s heavy industry to slash its emissions in order to continue operating and competing. This is just about enough time to assess feasibility, make an investment decision, secure new equipment and technologies from an increasingly oversubscribed market, install, test, and phase in these new technologies and processes, and reskill the workforce. All this under the optimistic assumption that Romania’s existing infrastructure is fit for purpose, new infrastructure has been deployed to the required scale, and state support is forthcoming to leverage the massive required investments.
Luciana Miu, EPG Head of Clean Economy
Luciana Miu is the Head of Clean Economy at Energy Policy Group. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings from the Imperial College London. Before joining EPG, Luciana worked for the UK Parliament and for the British Government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), as well as a consultant for Climate-KIC and London City Hall.
Contact: luciana.miu@enpg.ro
Decarbonising primary steel production in Romania
The decarbonisation of primary steel production is one of the most pressing challenges for the future of Romania’s industry. A highly carbon-intensive process, conventional primary steelmaking faces increasing pressure to transform in the context of the EU’s climate commitments: a phase-out of free allocation under the EU Emissions Trading System, upcoming regulations on sustainable products, and a rapidly rising carbon price. This pressure is insufficiently recognised in Romania’s industrial and climate strategies: its Long-Term Strategy, draft National Energy and Climate Plan, and draft national Industrial Strategy all fail to account for the scale of the transformation challenge and the associated opportunities for green steelmaking.
While Romania’s steel sector has shrunk since 1990, it still contributes significantly to the national economy and employment, and emits approx. 6.3% of total national carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. These contributions are centred on Liberty Galați, Romania’s only remaining primary steel producer, which employed nearly 5,000 people in and emitted 4.39 mega-tonnes (Mt) of CO2 (5.9% of Romania’s total CO2 emissions) in 2021. It is a major contributor to economic activity in the Galați county, a Just Transition region, and is an essential part of any attempt to revive Romania’s upstream manufacturing sector and any ambition to supply domestic and foreign downstream sectors, such as the auto industry, with high-quality, low-carbon steel.
The main pathway to deeply decarbonise conventional primary steelmaking is conversion of the conventional blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) process to the direct reduction of iron, coupled with melting in electric arc furnaces (DRI-EAF). To achieve deep decarbonisation, the DRI process must use low-carbon hydrogen as a reducing agent, and the whole steelmaking process must be supplied by renewable electricity. Transitioning from BF-BOF to hydrogen-based DRI-EAF production will shift the fuel mix of primary steelmaking from fossil-based to using primarily electricity and hydrogen, and will change raw material requirements, including an increased consumption of scrap steel. Other decarbonisation pathways include a complete conversion to secondary steel production (using scrap steel or imported green iron) or carbon capture, all with their own challenges.
Liberty Galați has publicly announced a decarbonisation pathway involving a conversion from BF-BOF to DRI-EAF, using natural gas as a transitional DRI agent and fully switching to renewable hydrogen by 2030. This deep decarbonisation plan (the “GREENSTEEL plan”) will accompany a doubling in production, reaching 4.1 Mt of liquid steel by 2030. According to our estimates, executing the GREENSTEEL plan could slash emissions from the production of liquid steel (responsible for 81% of emissions in primary steel production) by 93% by 2030, a reduction of 3.26 Mt CO2 per year. This could give Liberty Galați a significant competitive edge as a green steel supplier, meeting increasing demand from downstream sectors such as the auto industry. It could also spur a local green economy, including for the production of renewable electricity and hydrogen to supply the DRI-EAF pathway, which will consume over 160,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year.
To truly achieve deep decarbonisation, the transformation of Liberty Galați under the GREENSTEEL plan will require a massive mobilisation to deploy renewable energy capacities, invest in renewable hydrogen production, and secure a reliable supply of scrap steel. Electricity consumption of the steelmaking process alone would increase ten-fold, and even if hydrogen production is outsourced abroad, meeting the target specific emissions of the GREENSTEEL plan will require the carbon intensity of Romania’s electricity grid to halve. Using domestically-produced renewable hydrogen will require an additional 6.35 GW of renewable electricity capacity, 136% of Romania’s total installed wind and solar energy in January 2024. The renewable hydrogen requirement of Liberty Galați in 2030 would be more than currently stipulated in Romania’s national Hydrogen Strategy for the entire Romanian economy, and scrap steel consumption would increase four-fold, amounting to 80% of Romania’s current scrap exports. The investment cost of the transformation itself, including the operating costs of using renewable hydrogen, will likely require state support both directly and indirectly to increase investment certainty.
If Romania’s primary steelmaking is to spearhead industrial transformation and revive the competitiveness of manufacturing, urgent action must be taken to provide concrete, detailed transformation plans which are accounted for in national industrial and climate strategies. Targeted and carefully sized public financing instruments, including Green Public Procurement and Carbon Contracts for Difference, will be essential to meet upfront investment costs, especially in the coming decade as industrial operators begin to strain under increasing carbon prices. Infrastructure development will also be crucial, most importantly the deployment of renewable electricity capacities, strengthening of Romania’s national electricity grid, installation of electrolysers and construction of hydrogen transport infrastructure. New supply chains for raw materials will also be needed, particularly a rethinking of Romania’s export-oriented scrap steel sector. These actions will be necessary regardless how Liberty Galați decarbonises and require a shift in the approach of policymakers to the challenges of Romania’s industrial transformation.
A correction was made to this report on 14/03/2024. The increase in direct electricity consumption quoted in the Conclusions and Recommendations section (page 33) was corrected to 1,000%.
A further correction was made to this report on 03/06/2024. Figure 4 (page 17), Table 5 (page 16), and Table 4 (page 15) were updated with small corrections to the values for electricity and natural gas consumption.
Luciana Miu, EPG Head of Clean Economy
Luciana Miu is the Head of Clean Economy at Energy Policy Group. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings from the Imperial College London. Before joining EPG, Luciana worked for the UK Parliament and for the British Government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), as well as a consultant for Climate-KIC and London City Hall.
Contact: luciana.miu@enpg.ro
What should Romania do to align with the EU 2040 climate targets?
The Commission released a comprehensive impact assessment outlining potential approaches to reach the established objective of achieving climate neutrality in the European Union by 2050. In accordance with this assessment, the Commission suggests a 90% net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, relative to 1990 levels. It also articulates several imperative policy conditions for achieving this target, including meeting 2030 goals, industrial competitiveness, and an inclusive dialogue on post-2030 climate action. In particular, a just transition with adequate measures for energy price affordability and the mitigation of social impact will be essential.
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Ioana Vasiliu - EPG Senior Researcher:
"Romania, as a member of the EU, should align with this target and play a significant role in contributing to the overall climate action.
To set its commitment and ensure accountability, the implementation of Climate Law, including clear emissions goals for 2030, 2040, and 2050, is imperative. This legal framework will play a pivotal role in addressing essential aspects, including industrial competitiveness, where sectoral emissions reduction plans will be crucial for Romania’s industries to compete in a low carbon world. Enshrining energy efficiency targets into a Climate Law will also be key to increasing the rate and depth of renovation in Romania’s building stock, which are struggling to keep up with the pace required to meet the EU's climate goals.
Recognizing the socio-economic impact of the transition to climate neutrality, especially in terms of energy poverty, a just transition is crucial. Given the ambition of reducing EU-wide emissions by 90% until 2040, Member States must devote substantial attention to putting in place effective measures for managing the subsequent impact on jobs and local economies, which will be vital for a smooth transition towards a sustainable future.
To fully align with the EU's more ambitious 2040 climate targets, Romania also needs to intensify efforts in critical areas such as transportation and land use. By implementing policies that support sustainable agriculture and protect natural ecosystems, Romania can contribute to the EU's climate targets while also safeguarding its natural heritage."
Contact person:
Luciana Miu – EPG Head of Clean Economy: luciana.miu@enpg.ro
Ioana Vasiliu – EPG Senior Researcher: ioana.vasiliu@enpg.ro
The Industrial Carbon Management Strategy. What is good and where does it disappoint?
The European Commission’s first ever strategy governing carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) – the Industrial Carbon Management Strategy – is an important step for the deployment of CCS in Europe. For Romania and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with potentially significant carbon storage capacity and important industries that will need to capture their emissions, this long-awaited Strategy sets a strategic direction which should enable firmer and quicker action on making CCUS a reality, and enabling a fair geographical spread of new technologies and infrastructure across a currently West-centric Europe.
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Luciana Miu - EPG Head of Clean Economy:
"The Strategy does well to broach the subject of actual climate benefits of CCUS projects, including a focus on “process emissions” in the decade to 2030 and a chapter on the removal of atmospheric and biogenic CO2. However, the incoming Commission can be bolder in differentiating climate-positive use cases of CCUS, particularly given the vague language around capturing CO2 in the power sector in the EU’s 2040 climate target. While restrictive lists of eligible capture sites may be counterproductive, there is really no such thing as “clean carbon”, and facilities should be required to conduct a thorough assessment of their technological options for reaching a clear emissions target, before requesting public funding for carbon capture.
Importantly, the Strategy also addresses the issues of CO2 transport, a key part of the CCUS value chain, and we hope to soon see an associated dedicated regulatory package on this complex issue, as indicated in the Strategy. Funding will also be available, with a call forthcoming for cross-border CO2 transport infrastructure under the Connecting Europe Facility. This is a good opportunity for CEE countries to plan regional CO2 transport, developing storage hubs in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea areas to balance the North Sea-focused CCS landscape in Europe. The commitment to develop minimum standards for CO2 streams is also welcome.
For an efficient decarbonisation of EU industries, it is vital that CCUS projects demonstrate climate benefits in line with emissions targets. Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) pathways which do not allow for carbon recycling (including e-fuels and Enhanced Hydrocarbon Recovery) should be subject to rigorous accounting to avoid unnecessary sunk costs and greenwashing. The Strategy’s promise to start addressing these issues in the 2026 EU ETS revision may not be enough to firmly direct EU CCUS sector towards projects with durable climate benefits. Indeed, this is the original remit of the CCUS Observatory, a watchdog project proposed by EPG and now being piloted by the European Commission.
It is disappointing to see the ever-neglected issue of public perception of CCUS only briefly addressed in the Strategy. As co-chair of the CCUS Forum’s Working Group on public perception of CCUS, EPG heard consistently from a wide range of stakeholders about the importance of considering public perception, particularly at community level, and engaging in earnest public dialogue for upcoming projects. The lack of a clear mandate for project developers to conduct transparent public engagement is a missed opportunity. It risks leading to a fragmented approach in aligning CCUS project deployment with social needs and concerns, and ensuring that CCUS is part of a Just Transition."
Contact person:
Luciana Miu – EPG Head of Clean Economy: luciana.miu@enpg.ro
Meeting the revised Effort Sharing Regulation target in Romania. Measures for the buildings and transport sectors
Romania has one of the lowest targets under the revised Effort Sharing Regulation (-12.7% GHG emissions by 2030 compared to 2005) but given the relative neglect of the covered sectors over the past years, there will be distinct challenges for implementation, particularly in the buildings and transport sectors. At the very least, Romania should achieve its goal without overusing the available flexibility tools.
Strategia industrială a României 2023-2027: un prim pas lăudabil, dar prea mic pentru provocările industriei României
La finalul anului 2023, Guvernul României a publicat mult-așteptata Strategie industrială a României 2023-2027, promisă în programul coaliției de guvernare. Publicarea acestei strategii este un pas important în coagularea unui cadru instituțional capabil să gestioneze provocările multiple și intersectate ale industriei din România și să asigure o tranziție digitală și verde, atât durabilă, cât și justă. Cu toate acestea, în forma sa actuală strategia industrială oferă mai multe semne de întrebare decât răspunsuri spre soluționarea acestor provocări, și are nevoie de o abordare mai riguroasă pentru a funcționa drept piatra de temelie a tranziției industriei românești.
2024 este anul în care România trebuie să ridice privirea spre viitor
În 2024 România ar trebui să își regândească modelul de dezvoltare economică printr-o reorientare către tehnologiile viitorului și tranziția către o economie cu emisii reduse de gaze cu efect de seră. Pentru aceasta este necesară renunțarea la apatia clasei politice și la căutarea soluțiilor în trecut și reorientarea priorităților naționale către o economie bazată pe utilizarea surselor de energie curată, dezvoltarea infrastructurii energetice, atragerea lanțurilor valorice pentru tehnologiile verzi și susținerea capacității de cercetare și inovare pentru crearea de locuri de muncă bine plătite, care să poată răspunde provocărilor următoarelor decenii.
Mihnea Cătuți, EPG Head of Research
Mihnea is the Head of Research at EPG, coordinating the research strategy and activities within the organisation. His expertise includes EU climate and energy policy and the transition in South-East Europe.He is also an Associate in E3G’s Clean Economy Programme, contributing to the work on industrial decarbonisation.
In the past, Mihnea was an associate researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), where he led the work on the future of hydrogen in the EU. He was also an associate lecturer in Public Policy at the University of York.
Mihnea has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Bristol and a Masters in European Public Policy from the University of York and the Central European University. He is currently finalising his PhD at the University of York focusing on energy and climate governance in the EU.
Contact: mihnea.catuti@enpg.ro
Reflections on COP28
A successful negotiation is one that leaves no one fully satisfied with the result, but also not fully disappointed. From this viewpoint, the final COP28 statement can be considered an achievement. The text is arguably balanced and inclusive of the needs of all members. As COP28 in Dubai came to an end, some labeled it a failure, while others marked it as a significant advancement in climate action. It's probably a bit of both.
Even before its start, COP 28 was marked by the suspicions surrounding the vested interests of the oil-rich hosting country.
This time, a different and more ambitious set of expectations were publicly set compared to, say, COP24, which was hosted by Poland, a fossil-fuel-dependent country – even as it came after some controversies surrounding statements made by the COP28 president. This marks an evolution in the advancement of the global conversation on climate change.
The conference started with strong commitments for the Loss and Damage Fund – a topic discussed for over 30 years, since COP13 in Bali, which was center-stage at last year’s COP in Sharm el-Sheikh. The Fund is meant to compensate climate-vulnerable developing countries for climate change impacts that have not or cannot be addressed through mitigation and adaptation measures. Importantly, an agreement was reached on the operationalization of the Fund and funding arrangements. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been promised within the first days of the event, with the total pledges reaching $792 million by the closing of the conference. The World Bank has been chosen to host the fund for the first four years.
Among COP28’s main achievements were the global call for tripling renewable generation and doubling the annual energy efficiency improvement rate by 2030. While the implementation of these efforts will need to be defined more granularly through the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), the urgency of a faster-paced transition has not been disputed. Another one – arguably even more impactful – was the pledge of 50 oil companies to address carbon emission in their operations and, more importantly, to reach near-zero methane emissions and to end routine flaring in their activity by 2030.
As expected, the most controversial topic, given the host of this year's COP, was the language on phasing-down (instead of the expected phasing-out) fossil fuel utilization. The “transition away” wording of the final statement was celebrated by some as historic and caused dismay for the more climate ambitious Parties. The final statement certainly hinted to the knotty negotiations and, ultimately, to the complexity of giving up fossil fuel production and consumption (especially in emerging markets). In fact, fossil fuels are embedded in so many of the fundamental processes underpinning both developed and developing economies, that transitioning away to low emissions alternatives will take much more than words in the COP final agreement. Nonetheless, decarbonisation cannot be achieved without a near-complete elimination of fossil fuel use, and the final text marks a small step forward in this gargantuan challenge.
One of the most important levers to accelerate the transition, particularly in developing countries, is finance. Several announcements were made at COP28. Multilateral Development Banks announced additional climate finance commitments worth $180 billion through various programs and country platforms. Finance pledges were also announced for nature-based solutions and green industrialization in Africa. On the private sector side, UAE announced the launch of Alterra – a catalytic fund worth $30 billion, meant to mobilize $250 billion in private investments in developing countries through blended finance instruments. In addition, several other initiatives were launched including a philanthropy-backed early stage climate venture fund, the Green Guarantee Company backed by USAID, the Green Climate Fund and others, and a new reinsurance scheme for smallholder farmers in Africa.
Romania’s contribution to the initiatives developed in Dubai were also notable:
The country joined the Carbon Management Challenge – an initiative launched by the US Department of Energy (DOE) – which focuses on deploying carbon capture, utilization, and storage and carbon dioxide removal, as key elements of keeping the 1.5-degree goal within reach.
The Global Methane Pledge Ministerial has made notable progress over the last year, since COP27. More than $1 billion new grant funding have been mobilized, with new national commitments and legislation from main emitters, including oil and gas operators. Romania was welcomed as new member, bringing the total participants to 155.
The nuclear sector’s revival of last year(s) has reached a landmark at COP28, with more than 20 countries – including Romania - launching the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy – an effort of signatory countries to increase threefold the global installed electrical capacity from 2020 to 2050.
While not among the Ministerial officials attending the High-Level Roundtable on Hydrogen, Romania and its ambitious hydrogen plans can benefit from the outcomes of this initiative, which closed with a mutual recognition of certification schemes for hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives, with an ISO methodology as a global benchmark for GHG emissions, and with advancements in the cross-border trade corridors.
The 1.5C target is most likely out of reach at this point, based on current pledges. Moreover, whether ambitious or not, the agreements reached are not binding, being subject to more granular cross-national and national policies, regulations, and targets. Pledges also merely represent an indication of the effort levels needed, as measures such as tripling renewable investments or doubling energy efficiency efforts depend on very diverse starting points and contexts – technically, socially, and economically.
That being said, while highly symbolic and performative, COP28 delivered a clear message: all countries now agree that the world needs to transition away from fossil fuels. It may seem like common knowledge, but the intense negotiations needed to reach this conclusion stand as proof that it was a remarkable achievement.
A critical evaluation of Romania’s first Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan: implementation progress and the road to 2030
This paper undertakes a comprehensive examination of Romania's first National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) which was submitted to the European Commission in April 2020. The aim is to track the implementation progress and to assess the
achievability of the outlined objectives based on recent data trends and modelling scenarios using the 2050 Pathways Explorer tool. The paper also takes reference to the revised objectives under the Fit for 55 package, especially for the buildings and
transport sectors, with the aim of showing how current NECP implementation shortcomings may make the newer, more ambitious objectives even more difficult to reach.
Ce rol va juca hidrogenul în România? Observații privind revizuirile aduse Proiectului Strategiei Naționale
Energy Policy Group (EPG) apreciază faptul că varianta revizuită a Proiectului Strategiei Naționale a Hidrogenului include o serie din observațiile emise în cadrul procesului de consultare publică din luna mai 2023.
Concret, noua versiune a propunerii Strategiei include prioritizarea producției de hidrogen din surse regenerabile, poziția EPG privind ineficiența utilizării hidrogenului în încălzirea din sectorul rezidențial, evitarea utilizării hidrogenului regenerabil în CCGT-uri, precum și analiza decarbonizării treptate a producției de hidrogen din gaze naturale.
Considerăm, totuși, că documentul cuprinde încă o serie de aspecte care necesită revizuiri. În contextul în care Strategia va trebui finalizată în anul 2023, conform obiectivelor din cadrul Planului Național de Redresare și Reziliență, multiple aspecte ar trebui avute în vedere pentru actualizările viitoare ale documentului.
Citate
Radu Dudău - EPG President:
„Revizuirea Proiectului Strategiei Naționale a Hidrogenului și a Planului de Acțiune pentru utilizarea hidrogenului în România prezintă îmbunătățiri concrete față de varianta anterioară, înaintată spre consultare publică de Ministerul Energiei în luna mai a anului curent. Observăm cu satisfacție că autoritățile au preluat o parte din observațiile EPG.
O asumare importantă a Ministerului Energiei privind politicile publice în domeniul hidrogenului este aceea de a evita (chiar elimina) utilizarea hidrogenului regenerabil în CCGT-uri, așa cum mențioanează noua variantă a Strategiei. EPG a evidențiat, de-a lungul procesului de consultare publică, ineficiența utilizării hidrogenului regenerabil în centrale pe gaze în ciclu combinat.
Proiectul revizuit al Strategiei propune o abordare relativ corelată cu obiectivele de decarbonizare a economiei naționale, însă ar trebui armonizată cu țintele asumate în diferitele documente strategice și legi. Vom continua să monitorizăm parcursul proiectului și să facem recomandări de politici, astfel încât România să dezvolte economia hidrogenului într-un mod eficient.”
Mihnea Cătuți – EPG Head of Research:
„EPG privește noua formă a Strategiei ca pe un pas înainte spre o bună valorificare a hidrogenului în România. Rămâne însă problema subestimării necesarului de hidrogen pentru consumul din industrie. Cu toate că utilizarea hidrogenului în producția primară de oțel este de departe cea mai eficientă conform datelor prezentate în documentul strategic, ea este prevăzută doar pentru producerea a 0,5 milioane tone (Mt) oțel verde în 2030. Ca să punem numărul în context, trebuie menționat faptul că Liberty Galați, singurul producător de oțel primar, a produs în anul 2021 2,35 Mt de oțel lichid. Conform planurilor companiei de decarbonizare, aceasta ar putea ajunge să producă 4,1 Mt în 2030.
Având în vedere importanța strategică de a menține și chiar readuce capacitatea de producție primară de oțel la un nivel al anilor precedenți, ar trebui vizată o cantitate de hidrogen măcar pentru menținerea producției actuale. Luând în considerare faptul că alocările gratuite de certificate de emisii pentru producția industrială vor fi eliminate în proporție de 50% în 2030, iar prețul certificatelor este prognozat să crească la valori peste 100 euro/tonă, trecerea de la BF-BOF la H2-DRI-EAF ar trebui realizată înainte de finalul deceniului.
Nu în ultimul rând, având în vedere adoptarea și publicarea în Monitorul Oficial a Legii nr. 237/2023 privind integrarea hidrogenului din surse regenerabile și cu emisii reduse de carbon în sectoarele industriei și transporturilor” în vara acestui an, considerăm importantă armonizarea estimării necesarului de consum în transporturi cu țintele din cadrul legii.”
Alina Arsani – EPG Head of Energy Systems:
“EPG apreciază noua variantă a Proiectului Strategiei, implicit prioritizarea producției de hidrogen din surse regenerabile. Cu toate acestea, considerăm necesară revizuirea și transparența estimărilor cu privire la cererea de hidrogen în anul 2030, precum și prezentarea mai multor scenarii de consum. Având în vederea perioada relativ scurtă până în anul 2030, ar fi recomandată explorarea mai multor scenarii privind utilizarea hidrogenului, care să ofere o înțelegere detaliată a ipotezelor luate în considerare și a impactului asupra sectoarelor economice vizate.
Totodată, documentul necesită clarificarea noilor ipoteze privind reducerea cererii de hidrogen în raport cu reducerea emisiilor de CO2 și implicit revizuirea costului total al implementării strategiei. Mai mult, în ceea ce privește costul total al implementării strategiei estimat la aproximativ 4,8 mld. euro, încă nu sunt luate în considerare o serie de costuri importante precum costurile dezvoltării și modificării infrastructurii de transport și distribuție, costurile cu stațiile de comprimare, costuri privind capacitățile de stocare a hidrogenului.
De asemenea, în cadrul viitoarelor actualizări este necesar ca documentul strategic să includă informații referitoare atât la dezvoltarea infrastructurii/rețelei de transport, cât și la divizarea între producție/import și/sau export de hidrogen pentru acoperirea necesarului de consum estimat, respectiv oportunitățile de parteneriate comerciale privind hidrogenul verde cu alte state (membre UE). Pe baza estimărilor de costuri de producție ale documentului, România riscă să nu fie competitivă pe piețele regionale. Dacă estimările privind costurile de producție rămân neschimbate, strategia ar trebui să exploreze și oportunitățile de import de hidrogen.“
EPG a transmis către Ministerul Energiei, în procesul de consultare din noiembrie 2023, atât observațiile menționate mai sus (în formă extinsă), cât și o serie de elemente suplimentare care ar trebui avute în vedere în cadrul viitoarelor actualizări ale documentului, precum:
Cuantificarea utilizării energiei nucleare pentru producția de hidrogen.
Revizuirea ecosistemelor de hidrogen, prin includerea dimensiunii socio-economice.
Clarificarea obiectivului privind stimularea activităților de cercetare dezvoltare și inovare în domeniul tehnologiilor hidrogenului.
Dezvoltarea Obiectivului General 5 prin intermediul unei direcții de educare și informare a populației asupra necesității dezvoltării unei astfel de economii a hidrogenului.
Includerea aspectelor privind dezvoltarea unei ramuri economice noi, centrată pe producerea și utilizarea hidrogenului din surse regenerabile, cu cuantificarea numărului de locuri de muncă nou create, precum și o evaluare a specializărilor necesare.
Cartografierea surselor de finanțare a investițiilor necesare până în anul 2030.
Persoane de Contact
Radu Dudău - EPG President: radu.dudau@enpg.ro
Mihnea Cătuți - EPG Head of Research: mihnea.catuti@enpg.ro
Alina Arsani – EPG Head of Energy Systems: alina.arsani@enpg.ro
Distributional Impact of Carbon Pricing in Central and Eastern Europe
Carbon pricing is widely seen as an effective policy option to pursue reductions in GHG emissions. Either through carbon taxes or emissions trading systems (cap and trade), carbon pricing reduces the negative externality of GHG emissions. By putting a price on emissions, economic agents can incorporate this cost in their investment, production, and consumption decisions. In time, this leads to lower emissions. At the same time, this policy can have negative effects on the economy and households, associated with the additional cost of emissions. Research shows that the negative effects can be alleviated or even reversed through revenue redistribution.
The sums collected by Governments can be directed toward investment in low-emissions alternatives and support for low-income households. The European Union’s Emissions Trading System represents a significant example of carbon pricing. It covers emissions from industry and electricity generation and has been effective at achieving emissions reductions. Recently, a separate Emissions Trading System has been introduced for buildings and road transport (ETS2), with the aim of generating similar results in these sectors. There is concern that ETS2 may affect low-income households and the economy in general by purposely increasing the prices of emissions-intensive goods. To address this, the EU also adopted the Social Climate Fund, which uses part of the revenue collected by auctioning emissions allowances to finance investments in low-carbon technologies and support for low-income households.
In this context, this paper adds to the extensive body of evidence on the economic impact of carbon pricing with revenue redistribution. It presents the results of a simulation model of a hypothetical carbon tax in Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. The macroeconomic impact is evaluated by calculating the effects of this carbon tax on GDP and employment by sector. At micro level, the focus is on households budget, namely on welfare losses across deciles and energy poverty, before and after revenue redistribution.
This project is part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI). EUKI is a project financing instrument by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The EUKI competition for project ideas is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. It is the overarching goal of the EUKI to foster climate cooperation within the European Union (EU) in order to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. For more details, please visit: www.euki.de.
Constantin Postoiu, EPG Head of Data Analytics
Constantin is the Head of Data Analytics at EPG. He holds a PhD in Regional Development and a Master Degree in European Economics, both from Bucharest University of Economic Studies. From 2015 to 2017 he worked as advisor to the Chancellery of Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos where he led data driven policies and advised on education, poverty and public administration reform. Prior, he was a trainee at the EU Committee of the Regions, Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform.
Passionate about data analysis and data-based policies, he is also a member of the Advisory Council for the Evaluation of the Impact of Normative Acts, in the Romanian Government.
Contact: constantin.postoiu@enpg.ro
Small Modular Reactors: A Technical and Economic Assessment. General Considerations and the Case of Romania
This report has been prepared by Energy Policy Group (EPG) Romania with collaboration and sponsorship from Clean Air Task Force (CATF). This report received no financial support from the government, industry and private sector and it was prepared based on publicly available data, information, articles and scientific publications.
Radu Dudău, EPG President
Radu Dudău is President and co-founder of EPG. He was, from 2007 to 2023, an Associate Professor at the Bucharest University. From 2006 to 2010 he was Deputy Director at the Romanian Diplomatic Institute (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
He graduated in Physics and Philosophy from the University of Iași. He holds a Dr. Phil. degree in Philosophy (magna cum laude) from Konstanz University (Germany) and a PhD in Political Science (International Relations) (summa cum laude) from the National School of Political and Administrative Studies (SNSPA, Bucharest).
He was a Fulbright Fellow with the National Security Program at Harvard Kennedy School of Government (2011), a New Europe College Fellow at the Danish Institute of International Relations (Copenhagen, 2006) and an OSI/FCO-Chevening scholar at Oxford University (1999-2000).
His work focuses on energy policy, energy technology, and energy markets.
Contact: radu.dudau@enpg.ro
Transformarea industriei românești
Deși capacitățile de producție industrială s-au micșorat semnificativ în ultimele 3 decenii, acestea păstrează o contribuție de 16.5% la valoarea adăugată brută națională, și asigură aproximativ o cincime din forța de muncă activă din România. Având în vedere această importanță economică strategică, producătorii de oțel, ciment, chimicale și produse petroliere trebuie să se adapteze rapid la noua realitate a industriei europene, marcată de constrângeri în privința emisiilor de gaze cu efect de seră.
The way forward for a low-carbon industry in Romania
Romania’s industry will need to transform fundamentally to align with climate commitments and remain competitive in a low-carbon world. With increasing pressure from EU policy and a race to decarbonise industrial production in EU Member States, there are progressively fewer windows of opportunity for implementing the new processes and technologies required for greening heavy industry. A fragmented national policy framework and a narrow fiscal space mean that Romania will face significant difficulties in keeping its industry competitive. However, it also has key advantages it can capitalise on to become a low-carbon industry leader.
To achieve economy-wide net zero emissions by 2050, the main pathways for industrial decarbonisation are electrification, continuous improvements in energy and resource efficiency, the uptake of renewable hydrogen and other low-carbon fuels, and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage. Romania’s primary steel, cement, and chemicals production (particularly fertilisers) require the deepest transformation to enable industrial emissions reductions. The technologies needed to achieve these changes are costly, have long lead times, and in some cases imply new materials and supply chains. Furthermore, industrial transformation is not just technological – concerted action will be needed to safeguard the rights of workers in industrialised regions and prepare them for meaningful employment in Romania’s decarbonised industries and in those new industries which may emerge.
To decarbonise Romania’s industry sustainably and justly, three main areas of action must be addressed: industrial policy, funding and market creation, and infrastructure development. Firstly, Romania needs a cornerstone industrial strategy anchored in long-term climate commitments and driven by selective support rather than across-the-board crisis management. This industrial strategy must clearly assign responsibilities to competent authorities, commit to funding and financing instruments, and address socio-economic impact, supply chain management, and research, development, and innovation. Romania’s wider domestic policy framework, as well as its positioning in EU negotiations, must also be consistent with the commitments and goals of its industrial policy.
Secondly, industrial transformation in Romania will require a massive mobilisation of funding and the stimulation of new markets for green industrial products. As a country with a comparatively low fiscal space, Romania cannot rely excessively on state aid granted to industrial producers, as done in countries such as Germany and France. Instead, eventual state aid schemes targeted at competitive industries should be complemented by the use of EU funding opportunities, including the Modernisation Fund and the Innovation Fund, the unlocking private financing, and the implementation of green public procurement to stimulate a reliable lead market for products such as low-carbon steel and concrete. There are significant opportunities in this space, given Romania’s massive planned spending on large-scale infrastructure projects.
Finally, decarbonising Romania’s industry will require huge infrastructure for enabling renewable electricity, hydrogen transport, and carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage. The scale of the challenge is significant: electricity consumption will increase and its geographical distribution will change, straining an unprepared transmission grid; new pipelines will be needed for hydrogen and CO2 transport; and CO2 storage capacities must be developed very rapidly. Romania must thus invest significantly in the expansion and strengthening of the electricity transmission grid, and in essence start from scratch in developing a network of hydrogen and CO2 pipelines, as well as CO2 storage.
These key actions for decarbonising Romania’s industry will not be easy. They will require massive investment, coordination within the state apparatus and with industry, and significantly more political engagement on the subject. However, the benefits are undeniable: increased industrial competitiveness, a well-prepared workforce, reliable infrastructure, and a significant contribution to Romania’s climate ambitions. Reaping these benefits will depend first and foremost on understanding the magnitude of the challenge, and subsequently on internalizing it in concrete policy, funding, and infrastructure measures to enable decarbonisation at the required scale and pace.
Luciana Miu, EPG Head of Clean Economy
Luciana Miu is the Head of Clean Economy at Energy Policy Group. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings from the Imperial College London. Before joining EPG, Luciana worked for the UK Parliament and for the British Government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), as well as a consultant for Climate-KIC and London City Hall.
Contact: luciana.miu@enpg.ro
The Case for a Climate Law in Romania (EN-RO)
Currently, Romania does not have a comprehensive climate policy framework and relies mostly on transposed EU legislation to formulate targets and plans. Institutional responsibilities on climate change tend to be scattered, with insufficient coordination, weak accountability mechanisms, and a lack of long-term planning based on scientific evidence.
Prosumatorii și limitele actuale ale sistemelor de distribuție
Cea mai spectaculoasă evoluție din sectorul energetic național al ultimilor ani este, fără doar și poate, creșterea exponențială a numărului de prosumatori, casnici și non-casnici, până la o capacitate instalată totală de peste 1,1 GW. În condițiile în care statul român, actor dominant pe piața de energie electrică, nu a mai finalizat o investiție de proporții de la punerea în funcțiune a Unității 2 a centralei nucleare de la Cernavodă, în 2007, o astfel de creștere de capacitate este cu atât mai remarcabilă cu cât s-a realizat, în mare parte, din fondurile proprii ale cetățenilor români.
Potrivit celor mai recente date ale ANRE, la 31 august a.c. erau racordați la rețelele de distribuție 91.556 de prosumatori, a căror putere instalată însumată era de 1.164 MW. Creșterea a demarat semnificativ după aprobarea OUG 143/2021, prin care au fost introduse în Legea Energiei prevederi favorabile prosumatorilor, și a devenit fulminantă începând cu luna iulie 2022, după declanșarea crizei energetice din 2022, cauzate de invazia Ucrainei de către Rusia. Aproape jumătate din numărul total de prosumatori s-au bazat pe investițiile proprii. După finalizarea evaluării și aprobării dosarelor pentru 2023 ale programului Casa Verde Fotovoltaice, derulat de către Agenția Fondului de Mediu (AFM), se preconizează că deja în primăvara anului 2024 va fi atinsă capacitatea instalată de 2 GW.
Prosumatorul, element important al tranziției energetice, este încurajat și susținut de legislația europeană și națională, precum și de normele de reglementare. Într-adevăr, prosumatorul întrunește o serie de caracteristici deosebit de dezirabile în tranziția energetică: producție descentralizată de energie regenerabilă, distribuită geografic, prin care sunt acoperite nevoile de auto-consum, în condițiile volatilității prețurilor energiei pe piețele angro și ale creșterii preconizate a cererii de energie electrică – pompe de căldură, vehicule electrice, tehnologii industriale bazate pe electricitate, etc. Odată cu reglementarea dreptului de a livra energie electrică în rețeaua de distribuție, prosumatorul beneficiază (teoretic) de compensare cantitativă de către furnizorul de electricitate a energiei electrice injectate în rețea, astfel că avantajele producției proprii de energie sunt extinse la perioade ale zilei și ale anului în care producția proprie încetează. Mai mult, prin intermediul agregatorilor de energie, prosumatorii pot contribui la oferte de energie electrică pe piețele angro. Astfel, prosumatorii pot adopta un comportament strategic, de optimizare a beneficiilor financiare.
Radu Dudău, EPG President
Radu Dudău is co-founder and director of EPG. He is Associate Professor of International Relations at Bucharest University. From 2006 to 2010 he was Deputy Director at the Romanian Diplomatic Institute (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
He graduated in Physics and Philosophy from the University of Iași. He holds a Dr. Phil. degree in Philosophy (magna cum laude) from Konstanz University (Germany) and a PhD in Political Science (International Relations) (summa cum laude) from the National School of Political and Administrative Studies (SNSPA, Bucharest).
He was a Fulbright Fellow with the National Security Program at Harvard Kennedy School of Government (2011), a New Europe College Fellow at the Danish Institute of International Relations (Copenhagen, 2006) and an OSI/FCO-Chevening scholar at Oxford University (1999-2000).
His main expertise focus is energy security and natural resource geopolitics.
Contact: radu.dudau@enpg.ro
Ajutor de stat pentru Complexul Energetic Oltenia: cu ce scop și până când?
Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CEO) este unul dintre cei mai mari producători de energie din România, cu o putere instalată de peste 3 GW și aproximativ 11.000 de angajaţi – un adevărat colos, care a contribuit timp de decenii la siguranţa energetică naţională.
Totuși, în contextul obiectivelor europene și naţionale privind decarbonizarea, CEO trebuie să treacă prin schimbări profunde pentru a se adapta evoluţiilor din sectorul energetic. Producţia de energie electrică a companiei se bazează pe lignit, care produce emisii majore de CO2. Pe măsură ce producătorii de energie electrică pe bază de combustibili fosili au trebuit să plătească costul emisiilor de CO2 pentru emisiile cauzate prin schema de comercializare a certificatelor de emisii (EU ETS), energia produsă a devenit din ce în ce mai scumpă pentru cumpărători. CEO are cele mai mari emisii de CO2 din ţară, iar Gorjul este judeţul cu cea mai mare intensitate a emisiilor de gaze cu efect de seră din România.
Eliminarea producţiei de energie pe bază de lignit a devenit, astfel, imperativă, fiind legiferată de altfel în anul 2022 prin Legea decarbonizării, care prevede închiderea tuturor capacităţilor până în 2032. Având în vedere revizuirea recentă a directivei EU ETS, care va duce la o creștere constantă a preţului certificatelor de CO2, este dificil de crezut că CEO va mai avea termocentrale pe bază de lignit funcţionale până la finalul deceniului.
Mihai Constantin, EPG Researcher
Mihai Constantin works as a Researcher at EPG. In this position, he is contributing to the activities of the Energy Systems Programme. Mihai has a Master Degree in European Economics at Bucharest University of Economic Studies. He has expertise on public policies in the fields of energy, climate change and economics. Before joining EPG, he worked for WWF Romania as Climate & Energy Manager and as Advisor on Public Policies in the Romanian Parliament.
Contact: mihai.constantin@enpg.ro
Cum arată planul României pentru dezvoltarea proiectelor de energie eoliană offshore?
Asociația Energy Policy Group (EPG) apreciază faptul că Ministerului Energiei a publicat spre consultare Proiectul de Lege privind măsurile necesare pentru exploatarea energiei eoliene offshore în intervalul de timp asumat. Guvernul dovedește astfel angajamentul privind dezvoltarea producției de energie eoliană offshore în România și atingerea obiectivelor de decarbonizare.
De asemenea, EPG consideră benefic faptul că dezvoltarea capacităților eoliene offshore este stimulată prin intermediul unei scheme de sprijin de ajutor de stat de tipul CfD.
Totuși, experții EPG au propus o serie de sugestii de revizuire în cadrul consultării publice, pentru o mai bună corelare a proiectului cu obiectivele de decarbonizare. În primul rând, asociația propune o revizuire în sus a țintei asumate privind capacitățile eoliene offshore instalate, respectiv 3GW până în anul 2035. Considerăm că, în contextul creșterii țintelor de decarbonizare asumate la nivelul UE până în 2030, România ar trebui să își asume o țintă de cel puțin 3GW capacități eoliene offshore instalate încă din anul 2032.
Asociația mai atrage atenția și asupra procedurii anevoioase de obținere a avizelor necesare pentru proiectele de exploatare a energiei eoliene offshore și propune înființarea unui one-stop-shop. De asemenea, EPG consideră că proiectul înaintat trebuie să ia în calcul cooperarea transfrontalieră cu Bulgaria pentru dezvoltarea noilor capacități.
EPG va continua să se implice în procesul de consultare al Proiectului de Lege privind măsurile necesare pentru exploatarea energiei eoliene offshore, prelungit de curând până la 1 septembrie 2023.
Citate
Radu Dudău - EPG President:
"Este lăudabil efortul Ministerului Energiei de a pune în consultare publică Proiectul de Lege privind exploatarea energiei eoliene offshore. Proiectul prezintă un calendar al etapelor dezvoltării energiei eoliene offshore, ceea ce asigură claritate și predictibilitate. Totuși, anul 2035 reprezintă un termen mult prea extins pentru o capacitate offshore de 3GW. Considerăm că etapele prezentate pot fi scurtate, pentru a se fixa ca țintă anul 2032. De asemenea, ținta de capacitate ar trebui să fie mai ambițioasă.
După cum arată studiul EPG, Offshore wind – the enabler of Romania’s decarbonization (2023), România va trebui să dezvolte 15GW de capacități eoliene offshore în Marea Neagră pentru a atinge neutralitatea climatică în anul 2050, din care 5GW ar trebui instalați până în anul 2030.
În competiția de a oferi investitorilor energie electrică verde și accesibilă ca preț, România trebuie să susțină accelerarea investițiilor în surse regenerabile. Electrificarea economiei, trecerea la electro-mobilitate, dezvoltarea sectorul hidrogenului fără emisii – toate au nevoie de surse regenerabile de energie. Acestea sunt argumente pentru a trata eolianul offshore drept o șansă economică și o prioritate a sectorului energetic național."
Mihnea Cătuți – EPG Head of Research:
"Propunerea legislativă este bine structurată, iar atribuțiile autorităților competente au fost identificate cu atenția cuvenită, totuși considerăm esențială simplificarea procesului de obținere a avizelor pentru construirea centralelor eoliene offshore. Acesta este anevoios și greu de manevrat, având în vedere numărul mare de instituții diferite care trebuie contactate de potențialii dezvoltatori. Pentru a asigura o parcurgere mai facilă a proceselor administrative, recomandăm înființarea unui one-stop-shop în cadrul ACROPO sau al Ministerului Energiei care să ghideze dezvoltatorii în procesul birocratic și să mențină legături instituționale cu toate autoritățile de la care trebuie obținute avize.
De asemenea, un aspect important asupra căruia dorim să atragem atenția este prevederea referitoare la punerea în funcțiune a centralei eoliene offshore, care dacă nu va avea loc în cel mult 7 ani de la data încheierii contractului de concesiune, acesta din urmă va fi reziliat. O astfel de prevedere ar pune o presiune majoră asupra dezvoltatorilor de proiecte, fără a-i asista sau stimula în dezvoltarea centralelor eoliene offshore. Înțelegem obiectivul decidenților privind ținta de dezvoltare a 3GW de capacități eoliene offshore, însă autoritățile trebuie să ia în considerare cel puțin două aspecte esențiale: (i) timpul necesar obținerii documentației obligatorii privind aprobarea de dezvoltare pentru construirea centralei electrice eoliene offshore, respectiv birocrația asociată în cazul în care nu este diminuată și (ii) potențiale șocuri pe partea ofertei, respectiv lanțul valoric, așa cum economia globală le-a suferit în perioada pandemiei Covid-19. Prin urmare, rezilierea contractului de concesiune trebuie să fie o opțiune de ultimă instanță, luată abia după epuizarea tuturor celorlalte mecanisme legale de mediere."
Alina Chiriță (Arsani) – EPG Head of Energy Systems:
"Publicarea Proiectului de Lege privind exploatarea energiei eoliene offshore reprezintă un pas important în dezvoltarea producției de energie eoliană offshore în România și în atingerea obiectivelor de decarbonizare. Totuși, documentul nu include nicio referire la colaborarea transfrontalieră dintre România și Bulgaria, respectiv a licitațiilor coordonate, în vederea dezvoltării capacităților eoliene offshore în Marea Neagră.
Conform studiului EPG, Offshore wind – the enabler of Romania’s decarbonization (2023), dezvoltarea unui proiect comun România-Bulgaria, pe bază de insulă energetică (energy island), cu o capacitate de 3GW de pentru fiecare dintre cele două state (6GW în total), ar reprezenta o variantă optimă până în anul 2030, atât din punct de vedere al securității energetice, cât și al costurilor asociate. Investițiile României într-un astfel de proiect sunt estimate la 8,4 miliarde euro, iar producția anuală de energie electrică la 9,8TWh.
Mai mult, EPG în parteneriat cu Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) din Bulgaria au pus bazele Black Sea Renewable Energy Coalition în luna iunie 2023. Obiectivul Coaliției este acela de a reuni actori relevanți în sectorul energiei eoliene offshore din România, Bulgaria, Ucraina și Turcia, cu precădere din rândul dezvoltatorilor de proiecte și asociațiilor relevante din domeniul mediului, în vederea armonizării pozițiilor acestora și implicit accelerării dezvoltării proiectelor. Astfel, considerăm necesară includerea referirilor cu privire la colaborarea dintre România-Bulgaria, cu atât mai mult cu cât planificarea și cooperarea regională dintre cele două state poate stimula dezvoltarea energiei eoliene offshore din Marea Neagră și, implicit, economiile de scară."
Persoane de Contact
Radu Dudău - EPG President: radu.dudau@enpg.ro
Mihnea Cătuți - EPG Head of Research: mihnea.catuti@enpg.ro
Alina Chiriță (Arsani) – EPG Head of Energy Systems: alina.chirita@enpg.ro
Captarea, utilizarea și stocarea carbonului: un element-cheie pentru România, dar care trebuie bine gândit
Tehnologiile de captare, utilizare și stocare a carbonului (CCUS) vor fi elemente-cheie pentru decarbonizarea industriei grele din România, mai ales pentru sectoarele cu emisii de dioxid de carbon care nu pot fi reduse. Recent, EPG a analizat principalele bariere în calea implementării CCUS în România, printre care se numără lipsa unui cadru de reglementare și de finanțare adecvat și absența infrastructurii de transport și stocare. Pe lângă aceste obstacole, care împiedică dezvoltarea proiectelor CCS în România, EPG a identificat în cadrul proiectului european ConsenCUS (Horizon 2020) o serie de elemente suplimentare, mai puțin cunoscute, care trebuie abordate în politicile naționale privind decarbonizarea industriei prin CCUS.
O primă considerație se referă la unde și cum vor fi aplicate tehnologiile CCUS. În România, principalele sectoare pentru care captarea carbonului reprezintă o soluție indispensabilă sunt producția de ciment, sectorul chimic și rafinarea petrolului. Deși captarea emisiilor se poate face și în alte industrii, și chiar și în centralele energetice, pentru acestea sunt mai potrivite alte măsuri de decarbonizare, cum ar fi electrificarea. De aceea, tehnologiile CCUS nu sunt soluții miraculoase pentru toate sectoarele economiei, ci ele trebuie direcționate către sectoarele care nu au alte alternative, sau în scopul obținerii de “emisii negative”, prin captarea dioxidului de carbon direct din atmosferă.
Pe lângă alegerea cumpătată a sectoarelor pentru aplicarea CCUS, trebuie selectate și aplicațiile CCUS cu cea mai mare contribuție la prevenirea schimbărilor climatice. Spre exemplu, utilizarea dioxidului de carbon pentru producția de carburanți sintetici, care emit dioxid de carbon prin ardere, va avea per total un impact climatic mai mic decât stocarea permanentă în subteran. Aceste diferențe sunt nuanțate, iar pentru asigurarea unui impact climatic minim, care să justifice investițiile semnificative necesare, proiectele CCUS trebuie evaluate pe întreg lanțul de proces, de la sursa emisiilor captate până la destinația lor finală. Pe acest lanț de proces trebuie determinat atât impactul climatic, cât și cel asupra mediului înconjurător – spre exemplu, tehnologiile mature de captare a carbonului folosesc drept solvenți aminele, care pot avea un impact negativ asupra mediului dacă nu sunt bine monitorizate.
Optimizarea tehnologiilor CCUS nu se oprește la considerațiile legate de sectoarele beneficiare și de impactul climatic sau de mediu. În primul rând, tehnologiile CCUS sunt într-un proces continuu de cercetare, dezvoltare și inovare, unde experiența României în universități și institute de cercetare poate fi un atu important. De asemenea, România ar putea deveni un centru important pentru producția tehnologiilor CCUS în sine (de exemplu, unitățile de captare, conductele pentru transport, echipamentul de injectare), pe care Uniunea Europenă le favorizează pentru creșterea independenței față de importuri tehnologice.
Pentru a optimiza și proiectele CCUS, implementarea lor trebuie să aibă în vedere și potențialul de cooperare trans-sectorial și trans-național, prin care pot fi agregate fluxurile de dioxid de carbon captate de la diverși operatori, care să fie apoi transportate și stocate cu infrastructură comună. Acest lucru ar permite reducerea costurilor de infrastructură și partajarea riscului și a răspunderii operatorilor, în special în zonele puternic industrializate, unde sunt prezenți mulți operatori industriali – spre exemplu, zona Ploiești-Dâmbovița. În vederea formării acestor clustere pentru CCUS, trebuie stabilite modele clare de finanțare și de partajare a riscurilor, precum și un dialog transparent și susținut cu comunitățile locale.
Aceste considerente aferente tehnologiilor CCUS, mai puțin vizibile decât aspectele de regulament și finanțare, trebuie incluse de la început în politicile și planurile privind viitoarele proiecte de anvergură. Proiectele CCUS pot aduce beneficii economiei României nu numai prin susținerea decarbonizării industriei grele, ci și prin dezvoltarea producției de tehnologii de prevenire a schimbărilor climatice. Tocmai din acest motiv, oportunitățile semnificative prezentate de aceste tehnologii trebuie preluate cu o abordare holistică din punct de vedere al impactului.
Acest document a fost redactat în cadrul proiectului ConsenCUS, finanțat prin programul de cercetare și inovare Horizon 2020 al Uniunii Europene în cadrul acordului de finanțare nr. 101022484.
Întregul Policy Paper poate fi consultat AICI.
Luciana Miu, EPG Head of Clean Economy
Luciana Miu is the Head of Clean Economy at Energy Policy Group. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD in Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings from the Imperial College London. Before joining EPG, Luciana worked for the UK Parliament and for the British Government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), as well as a consultant for Climate-KIC and London City Hall.
Contact: luciana.miu@enpg.ro
Distributional impact of carbon pricing in Romania
Carbon taxes with revenue redistribution represent a promising policy option for reducing emissions and energy poverty at the same time. A carbon tax increases the prices of goods in proportion to their embedded emissions and creates incentives for consumers and producers to shift to lower-carbon alternatives. The revenues collected can be directed at lower-income households both for income support and emissions-reducing interventions, such as energy efficiency, distributed renewable energy, electric heating and transport. At the same time, carbon taxes are politically sensitive. Increasing the price of emission-intensive goods, particularly energy, may reduce economic output in the short run and increase the cost-of-living for households, particularly for the ones affected by poverty.
To add to the body of evidence on this relationship, we conduct a simulation of the effects of a generalized carbon tax on all consumption goods with revenue redistribution on GDP growth, employment, household welfare and energy poverty levels. The carbon tax is determined though an economic model at the levels required for a 40% reduction in emissions by 2032 compared to 2021. In absolute terms this means going below 70 Mt CO2 eq. of GHG emissions, almost a quarter of the 1990 level. The tax ranges between 2.95$/ tonne of CO2 in 2022 and 15.17$ in 2032, coming on top of the existing carbon price imposed through the EU Emissions Trading Scheme on power producers and heavy industry. The results show minimal negative effects on GDP growth (-0.12%) and employment (-0.02%) in 2032 compared to the baseline. Regarding the impact on households, the tax would generate a welfare loss between 0.8% for the highest income decile and 1.3% for the lowest decile, confirming the potential regressive effects. However, when revenue redistribution is designed as a lump-sum transfer, or price subsidy for lower-income households, the policy becomes progressive, and these households experience a welfare gain. This is also reflected in the energy poverty rates, which become lower with carbon taxes and redistribution than the baseline.
ETS2 și Fondul Social Pentru Climă
Constantin Postoiu, Head of Data Analytics
Constantin is the Head of Data Analytics at EPG. He holds a PhD in Regional Development and a Master Degree in European Economics, both from Bucharest University of Economic Studies. From 2015 to 2017 he worked as advisor to the Chancellery of Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos where he led data driven policies and advised on education, poverty and public administration reform. Prior, he was a trainee at the EU Committee of the Regions, Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform.
Co-founder of CivicNet organisation, Constantin was the initiator and coordinator of the web application meserii.ro. He is passionate about data analysis, data visualisation and data-based policies.
Contact: constantin.postoiu@enpg.ro
Decarbonizarea industriei românești necesită sprijinul financiar al statului
Decarbonizarea industriei grele presupune de multe ori aplicarea de tehnologii la un nivel incipient de maturitate, care prezintă un risc comercial aferent, ceea ce le face greu finanțabile de către sectorul privat. Din acest motiv, intervenția statului pentru a finanța decarbonizarea industrială, cel puțin în stadiu incipient, este necesară, și este practicată deja în multe țări, precum Franța, Germania și Slovacia.
Cum arată viitorul hidrogenului în România în viziunea Guvernului?
Asociația Energy Policy Group (EPG) apreciază faptul că Ministerul Energiei a publicat la finalul lunii mai Proiectul Strategiei Naționale a Hidrogenului, cât și un plan de acțiune privind utilizarea hidrogenului în România.
Documentul, deși publicat după o serie de întârzieri, propune o abordare corelată cu obiectivele de decarbonizare ale economiei României. Este foarte important ca strategia Națională a Hidrogenului să promoveze utilizarea eficientă a acestei resurse. Energy Policy Group a transmis Guvernului României o serie de recomandări privind noua strategie, cât aceasta se afla în consultare publică.
Experții EPG au transmis însă și o serie de recomandări privind secțiunile strategiei care pot fi îmbunătățite. EPG propune revizuirea estimărilor cu privire la necesarul de hidrogen pentru anul 2030, cât și dezvoltarea mai multor scenarii de consum cu un consum mai redus de hidrogen, având în vedere fereastra limitată de timp rămasă. În acest sens, EPG subliniază nevoia ca strategia să evite utilizarea hidrogenului în CCGT-uri din cauza lipsei de eficiență.
Asociația mai atrage atenția asupra previziunilor guvernamentale referitoare la necesarul de hidrogen utilizat în sectorul transporturilor și în sectorul siderurgic. De asemenea, înaintează propuneri de revizuire a costurilor prevăzute pentru hidrogenul verde cât și a costurilor necesare implementării proiectului de strategie.
EPG va continua să monitorizeze parcursul proiectului de Strategie a Hidrogenului, cât și să propună recomandări către Ministerul Energiei, astfel încât să ne asigurăm că această materie primă va fi utilizată cât mai eficient pentru a ajuta România în atingerea obiectivelor climatice ale anului 2030.
Citate
Mihnea Cătuți - EPG Head of Research:
"Publicarea Proietului de Strategie vine cu o veste extrem de bine-venită: o recomandare fermă din partea autorităților împotriva utilizării hidrogenului pentru încălzirea locuințelor, recunoscând ineficiența unui astfel de proces. Pentru utilizarea în încălzirea locuințelor, precum este încă prevăzut în PNRR, energia regenerabilă trebuie transformată în hidrogen prin electroliză, cu o pierdere de conversie de aproximativ 40%. Arderea în boilere în condensare are la rândul ei o eficiență de aproximativ 90%. Așadar, pentru fiecare 1 MWh de energie regenerabilă, s-ar produce 0,54 MWh de energie termică. Utilizarea directă a energiei regenerabile pentru încălzire prin pompe de căldură (cu o eficiență de 300-400%) ar însemna că 1 MWh de energie electrică produsă din surse regenerabile ar genera 3-4 MWh de energie termică, adică o eficiență de 7 ori mai mare decât utilizarea hidrogenului.
Vestea mai puțin bună este că strategia se bazează în continuare pe utilizarea hidrogenului în CCGT-uri, unde fiecare 1 MWh de energie regenerabilă ar fi convertit în 0,39 MWh de energie electrică, un proces chiar mai ineficient decât utilizarea hidrogenului în încălzire. Chiar conform datelor prezentate în Proiectul Strategiei, utilizarea hidrogenului în CCGT oferă cel mai mic beneficiu din punct de vedere al reducerii emisiilor raportat la cantitatea de hidrogen consumată
Cel mai bun raport dintre consumul de hidrogen și emisiile evitate este în industria siderurgică, unde strategia prevede însă cantități suficiente de hidrogen pentru producerea a doar 0,5 Mt oțel verde în 2030. Singurul producător primar de oțel din România, Liberty Galați, a produs în anul 2021 2,35 Mt de oțel lichid. Având în vedere că alocările gratuite de certificate de emisii pentru producția industrială vor fi eliminate în proporție de 50% în 2030, iar prețul certificatelor este prognozat să crească la valori pete 100 EUR/tonă, trecerea de la BF-BOF la H2-DRI-EAF ar trebui făcută înainte de finalul deceniului. Așadar, necesarul de consum pentru Liberty Galați ar trebui crescut de cel puțin 4 ori."
Alina Chiriță (Arsani) – EPG Head of Energy Systems:
"Apreciem faptul că Proiectul Strategiei Naționale a Hidrogenului prioritizează producția de hidrogen din surse regenerabile, însă costurile privind hidrogenul verde sunt supraevaluate comparativ cu estimările noastre. EPG a arătat faptul că hidrogenul verde poate fi produs cu €2,21-2,73/kgH2 într-un scenariu realist de preț pentru energia regenerabilă, dar acest lucru necesită o utilizare mai mare a electrolizorului (peste 5.500 ore pe an) și ipoteze mai ambițioase privind reducere costurilor de instalare.
Totodată, Proiectul Strategiei nu specifică divizarea între producție/import și/sau export de hidrogen pentru acoperirea necesarului de consum estimat și nici oportunitățile de parteneriate comerciale privind hidrogenul verde cu alte state (membre UE). Pe baza estimărilor de costuri de producție ale documentului, România riscă să nu fie competitivă pe piețele regionale. Dacă estimările privind costurile de producție rămân neschimbate, strategia ar trebui să exploreze și oportunitățile de import de hidrogen.
Un alt aspect important pe care l-am remarcat vizează necesitatea revizuirii costului total al implementării strategiei, estimat la aproximativ 10,36 mld. EUR În cadrul documentului nu sunt luate în considerare o serie de costuri importante precum costurile dezvoltării și modificării infrastructurii de transport și distribuție, costurile cu stațiile de comprimare, costuri privind capacitățile de stocare a hidrogenului, etc. Deși documentul prezintă potențialul teoretic, nu descrie situația sistemului românesc și care ar fi costurile necesare pentru adaptare și nu include o prezentare a necesarului de capacități de stocare a hidrogenului. Toate aceste elemente vor crește costurile implementării strategiei. "
Mihai Constantin - EPG Researcher:
"Deși proiectul Strategiei naționale a hidrogenului a fost publicat cu o întârziere semnificativă față de termenele asumate prin Planul Național de Redresare și Reziliență, ne bucurăm să avem în sfârșit pusă în dezbatere publică această strategie. Este de apreciat că pe anumite chestiuni, strategia identifică corect direcțiile și măsurile necesare a fi luate. Mă gândesc aici la faptul că se încurajează producția și utilizarea hidrogenului regenerabil, dar mai ales la faptul că s-a luat decizia a nu utiliza hidrogenul pentru încălzirea locuințelor cu boilere pe bază de hidrogen sau arderea acestuia la aragaz. Existau multe semnale că Guvernul va propune o astfel de abordare de utilizare ineficientă a hidrogenului, un exemplu fiind acel proiect privind rețeaua de gaze naturale-hidrogen prevăzut în PNRR, pentru zona Oltenia.
Hidrogenul va juca un rol important în decarbonizarea sectorului transporturilor. Însă, având în vedere evoluțiile tehnologice, este posibil să vedem o desfășurare a vehiculelor cu baterii chiar și în cazul transporturilor de mărfuri, iar hidrogenul să fie utilizat doar pentru vehicule grele, transport pe distanțe foarte mari sau aviație. Pe scurt, consumul de hidrogen în transporturi este probabil supraevaluat. Sunt destule aspecte de îndreptat în strategie și sperăm...
Proposal for a Regulation to improve the EU’s Electricity Market Design: A Brief Assessment
From the second half of March to June 2023, four rounds of revisions have been submitted for the Electricity Market Design during the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, bringing useful clarifications. The present analysis also reflects the main elements of the Presidency’s compromise proposal.
Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage: challenges and policy recommendations from the ConsenCUS project
arbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) is increasingly in focus as a key contributor to reaching the EU’s net zero emissions target. However, major barriers such as lack of regulation and financing, low availability of CO2 transport and storage infrastructure, and low public awareness continue to pose challenges to the widespread deployment of CCUS technologies.
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.
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
ince the initial deadline of January 1st, 2020, several key events and EU-level strategies have unfolded, which should be taken into account in Romania’s upcoming LTS. The European Green Deal and the Fit-for-55 package brought forth a whole new level of ambition for GHG emissions reduction, while the REPowerEU will accelerate
the pace of the climate transition in the short and medium-term, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Romanian LTS needs therefore to outline a plan for the rapid decarbonisation of the economy with the prospect of reaching climate neutrality before mid-century.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
The sustainable transition of Gorj County
The main resource of Gorj County is represented by its inhabitants, hence any transformation plan should be centred on them, as they are both the driving force and the beneficiaries of any economic and social progress of their county. The transition towards a carbon-neutral economy, probably the main concern worldwide in the next few decades, requires a significant number of new jobs. That is why Gorj County can rebuild its local identity around the sustainable energy transition, contributing to the significant efforts required for investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency or clean transport, thus continuing to play a central role in the Romanian economy. Gorj County can thus shift from the county with the highest carbon dioxide emissions in Romania to a leading region in this sustainable transition.
This is a favourable moment for starting this transformational process for the county’s economy. Post-pandemic recovery, the funding made available across Europe especially for this purpose, but also the significant amounts that Romania has available for the energy transition, along with the commitment of central and local authorities to ensuring a just transition, create the first and, at the same time, a rare window of opportunity for reconfiguring the county’s economy. In supporting this approach, this study proposes a transition path which can ensure sustainable and diversified economic growth, attracting well-paid jobs and increasing the quality of life. For the transition of Gorj towards a sustainable county, this study proposes a series of short-, medium- and long-term objectives. The main immediate priority of the county authorities should therefore be to capitalise on the potential of renewable resources and renovate existing buildings. Renewable energy is the main decarbonisation vector of the European economy. The solar potential in Gorj County is above the national average and, consequently, must represent a priority in this endeavour. At the same time, the renovation of buildings to increase energy efficiency is another opportunity offered by the sustainable transition, with positive effects on the county’s economy, as well as on individual households, by reducing energy costs and improving living conditions.
As long-term objectives, Gorj County must attract as large a share as possible of the value chains for advanced energy technologies with a contribution to the decarbonisation process. It is worth mentioning that for the counties where coal mining and its use in the energy sector were the main object of activity, staying relevant in the operation of the national energy system is justified. By developing the proposed value chains, their role will remain relevant.
Following an analysis of the economic situation in the county and of its educational profile, the study identifies four value chains:
1. renewable energy and electricity grids;
2. energy efficiency in buildings and heat pumps;
3. batteries, components and infrastructure for electric vehicles;
4. “green” hydrogen-based technologies. The county’s competitive advantages are also presented as well as a few measures that could enhance them
Romania’s Energy Storage: Assessment of Potential and Regulatory Framework
The European Green Deal, with its flagship policy, the Climate Law, is set to enshrine into law the target of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. In this context, the increased electrification of industry, transport, and buildings is a must for decarbonisation. The Commission’s long-term strategy acknowledges that the further uptake and integration of renewable energy necessitates higher flexibility at system level. Its decarbonisation scenarios indicate the need for a tenfold of today’s storage to deal with variability in the electricity sector. The EU’s strategy for energy system integration lays out the groundwork for how an increasingly electrified economy can function efficiently.
In anticipation of these future developments, concrete steps have been taken at EU level to favour and accommodate an increase in storage capacity. As part of the Clean Energy Package, the Electricity Directive and Regulation that are the basis for a revamped EU electricity market design set energy storage on an equal footing in the market with power generation. In response to EU Regulation 2019/943, which clarifies the role of storage and its ownership status, the Romanian authorities transposed in Law 155/2020 (amending Energy Law 123/2012) specific provisions related to new storage facilities and their management rules. Among the most significant is the government’s new and clear responsibilities of developing plans and actions for energy storage, aligned with the NECP, European Green Deal, and Next Generation EU. In addition, the ANRE provisions about licenses include references to storage capacities for energy producers.
Nonetheless, the current Romanian legislation does not include sufficient details on future-proof systems and technologies. More elaborated provisions are needed for the adoption of different types of storage and norms related to storage system integration. Such enhanced legislation is needed for implementing the Romanian National Energy and Climate
Plan (NECP), which lists ‘developing storage capacities’ as an instrument to improve energy security but lacks detail on how storage technologies will be deployed until 2030. The plan makes reference to the assessment study of system adequacy by the TSO, Transelectrica SA, which mentions a minimum 400 MW of needed new storage capacity. Against this background, it is important to understand the necessity for the domestic deployment of new storage technologies. To be able to invest in renewable energy capacities, the Romanian energy sector must first address its network adequacy issues. Increased storage capacity can contribute to overcoming this challenge, especially by increasing grid flexibility. Regardless of technology, energy storage will bring economic, structural and operational advantages.
Based on its renewable energy potential and considering the national energy sector’s current characteristics – generation assets, interconnections, market design, regulatory landscape – Romanian authorities should plan for increased deployment of storage technologies. This report analyses the potential of some of the main energy storage technologies, presenting their respective advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered when evaluating the likelihood, scale, and speed of investment. It puts forward a set of policy recommendations.
First, the regulatory framework must be revised to address the need for the following:
Detailed norms and procedures on technical integration of storage technology;
Equal access to ancillary services auctions for utility-scale storage;
Regulatory provisions for decommissioning of storage facilities;
Regulatory framework for renewable Hybrid Power Plants (HPPs).
At the same time, financing opportunities and subsidies need to be developed, such as:
Capacity mechanisms for energy storage facilities;
Extension of already-existing subsidies for prosumers to include storage installations;
Support schemes for off-grid solutions that incorporate storage;
Adjustment of current financing schemes to new support mechanisms that can enable an efficient deployment of storage capacities;
Clear remuneration framework for V2G owners;
Incentivise circular economy initiatives, especially for battery technologies.
Romania’s Offshore Wind Energy Resources: Natural Potential, Regulatory Framework, and Development Prospects
The present study assesses the natural and technical potential of Romania’s offshore wind sector, finding an estimated total potential natural capacity of 94 GW, out of which 22 GW could be installed as fixed turbines, leading to a total Annual Energy Production (AEP) of 239 TWh, with 54,4 TWh from fixed turbines. The data analysed in this report show that wind speeds increase with the distance to the shore, with only the central part of the deep-water sector having more sizeable mean wind speeds (close to 7 m/s). A large part of Romania’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) consists of a deep-water area (>50 m) that is more suitable for floating platforms. Nonetheless, several offshore wind farms in Europe have been recently built at about 60 km from shore, a distance that is just within the Romanian transition area from shallow to deep water. The study identifies two potential clusters with most favourable conditions for a first stage of offshore wind development, based on fixed turbines: one with capacity factors between 33-35%, in water depths below 50 m at 40-60 km from the shore – an area that strikes the right balance between wind resources and costs of the required offshore network, given the possibility to inject the output in the Constanța Sud electrical substation and the proximity to the Port of Constanța.
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.
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).
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
COP21, Paris: national contribution plans
COP21 (The Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC) will be the event of this fall and end of the year in environmental diplomacy. The intention is to achieve a “universal and legally binding agreement” to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) in order to keep global warming below 2° C from pre-industrial levels, beyond which it is presumed that the effects are irreversible.
The Ukraine crisis: legal and energy security impact in the Black Sea basin
The present study discusses the legal consequences of Crimea’s annexation by the Russian Federation upon the legal status of the peninsula’s Black Sea offshore (continental shelf and exclusive economic zone), with a focus on hydrocarbon exploration and production activities.
Romania’s energy policies, between liberalisation and environmental protection
Industrial competitiveness gains more and more traction across EU`s energy policy.
Energy independence vs energy security
For the energy public debate in Romania, there are often two seemingly interchangeable terms – security and energy independence. The two concepts are different, however, and understanding the differences is very important