Natural gas is the main element on which the energy transition should be based, as it is a fuel that can be used immediately and with quick effects in terms of reducing carbon emissions, said Ionuț Ciubotaru, Vice President of Business Development at OMV Petrom, at the 9th edition of the Energy Strategy Summit, an event organized by Energynomics.

“A transition that uses gas will probably have a better chance of success. The transition from the current situation to net zero is a very expensive activity and requires very large investments to ensure the introduction of new technologies and new energy fluids. Or, if we think that we can jump directly to net zero, it’s quite complicated and probably the necessary amounts will represent the biggest obstacle in the implementation of the energy transition”, said Ciubotaru.

A first argument in favor of this claim is that using gas in the energy industry immediately reduces carbon emissions using already existing technologies. Second, achieving the goal of energy neutrality requires industry and consumers to change their technologies, and this is extremely difficult to achieve at the moment because there are currently no mature technologies on the market that use a different type of fuel other than natural gas, a situation valid both in the production area of ​​hydrogen and electricity.

Thus, natural gas can ensure the use of existing technologies at least for a while, thus giving time for the emergence of new ones. At the same time, the existing natural gas infrastructure is another argument underlying the use of gas as a transitional element.

In addition, gas can potentiate the development of the hydrogen economy in both the generation and transportation areas, and such tests are underway in Romania and other countries. Last but not least, know-how from the gas industry can also be used in the area of ​​carbon storage and capture.

Energy Strategy Summit 2023 was organised by Energynomics with the support of ABB, ASTRASUN Solar, BCR, CEZ Romania, Eaton Electric, Electrica Furnizare, Electro Service RB, Elektra Renewable Support, EnergoBit, Enevo Group, E.ON, Finder, Huawei, MET România Energy, OMV Petrom, OX2 România, Phoenix Contact, Photomate, ProCredit Bank, REI Grup, Renomia Gallagher, Romgaz, Schneider Electric, Signify, Transelectrica, Taw Energy, Volt, WIKA, Wiren, Alexandrion Group, Aqua Carpatica, Klarmedia and Mobexpert.