The merger between Oltenia Energy Complex (CEO) and Hidroelectrica is based on a “naive” idea, said the president of the Competition Council, Bogdan Chiritoiu.

“It’s hard to comment on something that is just a statement. I didn’t see any paper, I didn’t see any project. What I think it is clear to say, seriously, is that we have to find a solution for Oltenia to work in the medium term, so in a number of years when our economy will need the energy produced by Oltenia by burning coal, so we have no alternative to that and we have to find a solution to make this possible. (…) I think that there are solutions, we can find a solution to subsidize the CEO activity during this period. The merger with Hidroelectrica I think it is seen – I think, I do not know – it is seen as a solution to support the CEO activity. If there is a paper proposal, an official one, we will analyze it,” said Chiritoiu, quoted by Agerpres.

He explained that the pressure on the Oltenia Energy Complex comes largely from the fact that pollution taxes are increasing in the European Union, and the emission certificates have a rising price, because the EU’s target is to reduce pollution, and „this makes pollution more expensive.”

“In this way, the electricity produced from coal becomes more expensive and, consequently, in Romania the Oltenia Energy Complex has difficulties, but it is necessary for our economy, I repeat, in the medium term. In the long term we will probably find solutions to keep us we move on gas or … The most likely is the gas move. But in the short term we cannot do this and then, in a few years, we need the Oltenia Complex as it is now,” explained the head of the Competition Council.