Keeping the tradition of more than 30 years and returning to Neptun-Romania, on 16-19 June, the Romanian National Committee of the World Energy Council (WEC-RNC) organized the Regional Energy Forum FOREN 2024. The event was attended by more than 400 specialists from the energy sectors of the countries in the region, representatives of international organizations, including the World Energy Council (WEC), parliamentarians, representatives of DG Energy, etc. The topics of interest were part of the broad theme proposed by the Forum: “Rethinking the future of the world through a secure, clean, and efficient energy”.
The works of the Forum highlighted the fact that the challenges facing the energy sectors of the countries in the region have increased, primarily due to the uncertainties identified and signaled by the leaders in the field. The Forum demonstrated – once again – that in the face of geopolitical threats and specific challenges in the region, the energy sectors are defending themselves with their own “weapons”: rethinking their structure and purpose, emphasizing their role “for people and planet”, cooperating for greater security in providing this vital service and shortening the path towards net climate neutrality. In addition, energy is being “humanized” by rethinking the sector’s “barrier” with users and redefining their role. The transition to climate neutrality is important, but simply reducing greenhouse gas emissions does not solve the complexity of the region’s challenges, nor should it reduce the region’s contribution to stability in an increasingly complex, unstable and threatening world.
The technologies that can be used are multiple, disseminable down to the user level, and the need and urgency to diversify energy production has been often emphasized in the context of the digital revolution. Large-scale investments are needed and those interested in investing are aware of the need to consider “greening” in addition to economic and governance criteria. Emphasis has also been put on the appropriate use of nuclear energy, and there has been a shift in the public and European institutions, including financial institutions, towards a different perspective on nuclear energy. However, there are concerns about the supply chain and labor shortages in this area, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as about the back end of the nuclear cycle, notably decommissioning of nuclear installations, radioactive waste management and final, fully safe disposal.
The region has resources, but the energy mix will change fundamentally and the energy map will change. FOREN’s work has emphasized – once again – the importance of all energy sources and the fact that a balanced approach to moving away from fossil fuels is essential. In this context, natural gas will continue to play a critical role throughout the energy transition. In addition, the increasingly important role of materials such as copper, lithium, nickel, aluminum, and in the future coal, oil and even gas will compete in terms of necessity. This is why security of supply (not just energy) is so important.
Another aspect that weighed heavily in the overall discussions at the Forum was the situation of the skilled labor force in the field, which is shrinking in terms of quantity and quality. Hence the need for technical universities to constantly diversify and update their training programs in order to respond promptly to current challenges. Also, given that the role of young graduates is vital, they must be aware of the responsibilities they will have to assume and become promoters of lifelong learning programs and of collaboration and dialogue with energy specialists. This can only be most effective if industry application research centers are developed in the global context of reinvigorated research.
In the field of energy use, the Energy Efficiency First principle implies adopting a holistic approach that takes into account the overall efficiency of the integrated energy system, security of supply and economic efficiency and promotes the most effective solutions to achieve climate neutrality throughout the entire value chain, from energy production, the transmission grid to the end-user, so that efficiency is achieved in both primary and final energy consumption. At the same time, new regulatory rules on prosumers and electricity cooperatives are needed, a more practical thinking not only on rights, but also on responsibilities and obligations, especially storage.
As far as Romania is concerned, a clear vision of the desired and accepted future is needed, and the awaited Energy Sector Strategy could fill this gap. It is clear that Romania is in urgent need of an investment program in all segments of the sector, especially in the electricity sector, but the greatest need for investment is felt in the electricity distribution segment. A key role must be played by the digitalization of processes and the use of artificial intelligence in energy production, transmission, distribution and supply, with an impact on process efficiency. In this context, it would be useful to review/improve market mechanisms so that the market creates incentives for participants to boost investment.
Pentru regiune, în contextul tensionat actual, cea mai importantă concluzie a fost aceea că – inevitabil – cooperarea este nu numai dezirabilă, dar devine chiar obligatorie, într-un nou concept de colaborare și solidaritate. În acest sens, a reieșit creșterea rolului CNR-CME, acesta devenind unul dintre cele mai active comitete ale Consiliului Mondial al Energiei dintre cele peste 90, câte sunt în prezent.
The role of the WEC and National Committees in this complex world is important, because the history of energy is part of the history of human development, and this was underlined in the context of the centenary anniversary of the organization, where not only its history, but also its prospects and positive role in the coming decades were discussed. All the more useful are meetings between specialists in the field, as FOREN 2024 has proven, as the awareness in the national and regional energy community of the need for a just, clean and inclusive transition can generate valuable ideas for the future.
The organizers thank you for your participation and invite you to FOREN 2026, which will be the 18th edition of the Forum.
About CNR-CME
The Romanian National Committee of the World Energy Council (CNR-CME) is a non-governmental association and the main multi-energy organization in Romania, a founding member of the World Energy Council since 1924, a strategic partner for other organizations, associations and foundations in the field of energy and environment in Romania.
The Regional Energy Forum – FOREN is held every two years since 1992 and is organized by the Romanian National Committee of the World Energy Council (CNR-CME).
The World Energy Council (WEC) is the world’s leading global energy organization, founded in 1924, comprising more than 90 National Committees from over 3000 member organizations, whose mission is to promote, secure and sustainably use energy for the benefit of all people on the planet.