Romania embodies the “all of the above” approach that is so vital to ensuring both energy security and advancing climate action, believes HE Richard L. Morningstar, founding chairman of the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center and a former U.S ambassador to the European Union. In the message sent to Energynomics at its 10th anniversary, Richard L. Morningstar insists that the world can never revert to reliance on Russian energy, and Romania has a lot to teach Europe and the world on this critical issue.
Above all, Romania provides evidence that energy security and the green transition are not at odds, continues Richard Morningstar. “Europe and the world needs to invest in both the established energy system and in low carbon power to ensure a smooth affordable and secure energy transition. Romania’s efforts to seize the opportunity provided by its substantial offshore reserves can enable Romania to be a European gas hub and help the continent wean itself from Russian imports. Romania is also increasing investments in renewables and nearly 30 GWs worth of projects are currently underway.”
On the nuclear energy side, Morningstar mentioned the nuclear units in Cernavodă as “a key pillar of regional energy security” and also the fact that renovating the unit 1 “can support energy secure decarbonization in Romania for years to come’. “I think the relationship between the U.S. and Romania has never been better”, says Morningstar. “Romania is pioneering advanced nuclear technologies and its plans to deploy SMRs (small modular reactors) are the most ambitious in the world. […] A partnership between the U.S. and Romanian public and private sectors is key to unlocking the country’s vast energy potential. In fact energy has been a great catalyst for strong U.S.-Romanian ties at large.”
He Richard Morningstar found kind words for Energynomics, too, and wished Energynomics “all the best in its efforts to further contribute to the region’s compelling energy story and I look forward to following your work over the coming years”.