Between 29 February and 15 April, the Ministry of Energy organizes workshops at sectoral level, in order to obtain from experts high value “ideas, opinions and advice” in the stage of qualitative analysis for creating Romania’s Energy Strategy 2016-2030. There were already discussions on topics related to electricity (9-10 March) and oil and gas (11 March). The minutes of the discussions published by the ministry are inevitably fragmented and perhaps sometimes too little faithful to the thought quoted by the rapporteur. Energynomics.ro selected, however, 19 of the most provocative statements regarding issues of electricity and hydrocarbons.

1.

We must be realistic and take into account that, in the short and even medium term, we will face a decline in the domestic oil production. Crude oil from domestic production is not cheap one, able to compete on the international market and, even in the prospect of an increase in the domestic production, will also extract expensive crude oil, coming from great depths, based on modern technologies, obtained with high costs – ALEXANDRU PĂTRUȚI, RNC-WEC

2.

For Romania it is very important to achieve the interconnection of National Transmission System of oil with those of the neighboring countries, our country being able to play an important role in the transit of oil coming from the Caspian Sea region or Iran towards Central and Western Europe. The NTS is in a good technical condition that allows transit, being able to carry twice the quantities transported so far – GHEORGHE IONESCU, CONPET

3.

If we talk about energy security versus energy independence, most certainly the energy security is preferable, and this can be achieved through a membership in an integrated market – VASILE IUGA, PwC

4.

The Black Sea offers the prospect of developing a new natural gas production basin. The Association members particularly look forward to the new fiscal framework of the offshore oil sector in Romania – MIHAELA DUPLEAC, RBSTA

5.

We do not have an accurate assessment of the natural potential that our country has, it is necessary to have a National Geological Service in Romania. […] A collaboration with NARM is needed, this institution has all the geological reports from the recent decades. A legislation change in order to allow access to data for the future participants in the auction rounds organized by NARM may increase the interest of potential investors – NICOLAE ANASTASIU, ROMANIAN ACADEMY

6.

Romania is among the few European countries in which the notion of work secret still exists regarding data on the natural resources, which hampers communication; a change in legislation in this regard is required – MIHAI SPĂTARU, NARM

7.

The introduction of a title of a quantity of natural gas is necessary, that can be accepted and used by the banking system, under the form of a real estate mortgage – IOANA GHEORGHIADE, BCR

8.

The present situation is completely different of that from 30 years ago and it requires a rethinking of gas transport and distribution systems, and of underground storages role, which were designed for seasonally use, to cover consumption peaks – DUMITRU CHISĂLIȚĂ, GAS MARKET EXPERT

9.

In 30-40 years new large electricity generation capacities have to be built. Affordability and aid schemes are important, but the issue of the failure of the energy market is important TOO (market failure): you cannot build new installation without support schemes – TEODOR CHIRICĂ, ENERGONUCLEAR

10.

The Energy Strategy of Romania relates to the future and the future society will be based on clean energy, because priorities are the quality of life and the economic development. The Energy Strategy should not favor certain technologies; a proper energy mix must be set and the production must be combined with energy storage – SEBASTIAN ENACHE, RWEA

11.

Attention should be paid for the charging system (taxation) of electricity. The price for energy on the wholesale market, is steadily declining over the past 5 years, but the bill for the final consumer increases continuously and the very low price for energy on the market does not encourage the development of energy sources – ION LUNGU, AFEER

12.

Regarding consumption, all prospects for the development of the transport infrastructure must be analyzed. For example, motorways will facilitate the arrival of medium or large investors – VIRGILIU IVAN, TRANSELECTRICA

13.

After Turkey, Romania has the largest energy system in the region and is one of the large exporters. Through Transelectrica, Romania has undertaken in a huge investment effort at the level of substations and power lines. The investments should be supported by the legislation. In 2025 an interconnection capacity of 2.500 MW will be reached, compared to 1.600 MW last year, and in 2030 at 3.500 MW – VIRGILIU IVAN, TRANSELECTRICA

14.

In the context of EU energy priorities (diversification in the generation area, energy efficiency measures and the overall integration of the energy market), Romania must be turned into a competitive country, in order to maintain the current position of exporter. The export of electricity must be a strategic objective of Romania – ADRIANA MIRCEA, AMCHAM

15.

Romania must remain a hub in the region, not only by interconnecting the markets, but also by other concepts, for example, the electric vehicle. It requires the involvement of local authorities, operators and manufacturers, which should provide free energy cards – OVIDIU POP, IRE EURELECTRIC

16.

Romania’s role in the region is that of a separated energy production island. This role will diminish as production is bankrupt (90%) – CONSTANTIN BĂLĂȘOIU, FORMER GENERAL MANAGER OF CE OLTENIA

17.

In order to be competitive in this part of Europe, Romania must have a maximum of two great companies of producing energy, companies that are balanced in terms of production and costs – ION PISC, BNS

18.

In the year 2030, the storage technologies will be mature. They may contribute to the frequency control and other system services. In 20 years the decentralized storage systems will prevail – VALERIU BINIG, E&Y ROMANIA

19.

Storage technologies will strongly influence the system structure and the new technologies for distributed generation based on renewable resources. Storage technologies are not (yet) attractive commercially, but a decline by several times of the cost of investments is expected, which will allow the strong development of the renewable sources and the closing of the coal capacities – ȘTEFAN GHEORGHE, FORMER GENERAL MANAGER OF TRANSELECTRICA AND HIDROELECTRICA

The working groups will meet three more times in working sessions of one day, in order to continue the accumulation of contributions to the qualitative analysis of the national energy sector:

March 24 – Energy efficiency, thermal and cogeneration, energy demand management

April 4 – Energy Governance

April 12 – Security and energy diplomacy

The Integrated Report will be completed by the project team on April 25.