In late April, the general manager of Vestas CEU Romania, Catalina Dragomir, became president of the Board of Directors of the Romanian Association for Wind Energy – RWEA. From the new Board also take part the representatives of companies EDPR, CEZ Group, GDF Suez, Enel Green Power, Verbund, Crucea Wind / Steag, Monsson Group and AXPO, while Sebastian Enache, Business Development Manager at Monsson Group, became Vice President of the organization, and Ionel David was confirmed in the position of executive director.
The Romanian Wind Energy Association – RWEA is one of the associations with experience and a strong public profile in the energy community from RO. Recently there were significant changes in the management. What is the stake for these changes ?
It is no secret that the wind industry has undergone a major impact in recent years. This impact was felt at all levels, in all respects, but one thing is certain. Companies that believed in the potential of this industry in Romania and who have invested money, time and resources, chose to go ahead and try a recovery of this industry. We are in a new stage which requires a new approach, therefore, the first step was reorganization of the Romanian Wind Energy Association. We rethought the structure, a new Board of Directors was voted and a president was chosen to represent the Association, by creating a balance between the interests of all participants in the wind energy market. It is a signal that we want to go forward, because we want to be a strong partner of dialogue with the authorities and not least, that we represent the voice of the industry at the highest level.
What are the main objectives of the association ? They have changed from the previous period ? In what way?
The RWEA mission and objectives are constant and solid and represent a model of stability, of which we want to see more clearly from the authorities as well. We want to become one voice throughout we represent the interests of its members but also the industry itself. The European Trend is pro-renewables and Romania proved that it can align this way. The road ends in 2018; we must look, to accept and adapt the medium and long term prospects. We want to become a partner for dialogue with the authorities and we put our entire expertise available to help stabilize the business in this industry.
How many association members are now and what share do they have in the local sector of renewables?
Over the years the membership has fluctuated depending on the impact on the wind industry. This year we have over 50 members and we wish of course to attract new members. But this depends on how attractive than wind industry is today for new investments. Those who exist now and we are active, because once investments have been initiated, they could not be stopped whatever the legislative changes were. They had a negative impact ? Certainly the messages sent in the last 2 years by market participants on various communication channels are an eloquent statement. The negative impact is seen in the dramatic decrease in the number and value of new investments. The industry expects and calls for a stable, predictable energy strategy and we expect there to offer support and contribute actively to the development of Romania.
What are the concrete actions that you plan for 2015?
First we will strengthen our position in the relations with the authorities. We actively and effectively communicate and try to attract new members. A single strong voice, coherent will be able to generate a long-term impact.
What are the trends that you identified for the renewable sector in the coming years?
Romania is part of the EU and if we look around in all countries there are changes from new perspectives and approaches. It is very important to maintain a predictable, stable and functional market. We must learn from errors or syncopes occurring in other countries and avoid their repetition. We must follow the successful models and implement them taking into account the local context. Starting from these premises I am convinced that the new energy strategy that we all expect, will integrate and will provide a coherent framework for the development of the sector. Romania is still “young” if compared with countries where the industry is a continuing source of investment, economic growth, technological development and employment.
