President of ANRE George Niculescu emphasised the importance of collaboration and innovation in Romania’s energy transition at the Energynomics Awards 2024 Gala. Niculescu spoke about the progress made, current challenges and future opportunities, with a clear call for collective action.
“Romania is not just a spectator in this energy transition; it is an essential partner. We have the resources, the capacity and, most importantly, the energy to make a difference,” said Niculescu.
Authorities want investment, investors want stability
The President of ANRE highlighted that Romania is at a key moment, with the chance to become a regional leader in areas such as renewable energy, hydrogen, digitisation and energy storage. The examples of Dobrogea, a hub for renewable energy, and the Black Sea, with its huge energy potential, were mentioned as strategic directions for the future.
“The report coordinated by Mario Draghi is a call to action: to be relevant, we need to adapt quickly to change. It is a message for governments, authorities, companies and every professional in this room,” explained Niculescu, emphasising the importance of competitiveness in the new European policies.
In addition, he emphasised the need for legislative stability and predictability to attract investment and boost the development of the energy sector: “We, the authorities, want investment and investors want stable and predictable public policies. Besides dialogue, we need collaboration between authorities, companies, experts and consumers.”
Energy for people, not just megawatts
Niculescu also brought up the human dimension of energy, emphasising that the success of the energy transition depends on the people behind it, whether they are innovators, professionals in the field or consumers who benefit from the progress made.
“Energy is not just about megawatts or distribution networks, it’s also about people. It is about those of you who work every day to make it work, those of you who innovate and those of you who have the courage to believe in a better energy future,” he said.
Niculescu also emphasised the importance of education and equitable access to energy resources for all: “We need to provide wider access to energy resources through policies that support both courageous investors and vulnerable consumers. Only through education and training can we build a future energy system.”
In conclusion, the President of ANRE reminded that the success of the gala evening must be followed by hard work: “Tonight we celebrate success together, but tomorrow we get back to work.”
ALSO READ 12 awards for performance in the Romanian energy industry at the 12th Energynomics Awards
George Niculescu emphasised the complexity of the energy transition and the importance of the involvement of all actors to make Romania a model of sustainability and innovation in the region.
The Energynomics Awards Gala 2024 enjoyed the support and trust of the most reputed institutions and professional associations in the local energy sector.
Partners: ABB, Alive Capital, BayWa r.e, BCR, CRC Energy, Datacor, DRI, E- INFRA, Electrica Furnizare, Elektra Renewable Support, EnergoBit, Enery, Enevo Group, Enexus Renewable Energy, Evolve, Evryo, Exim Banca Românească, GoodWe, Huawei, KENO, Noark, Nofar Energy, Ogre, Onsolare, OX2, Photomate, Polytrade Global, Pomega Energy Storage Technologies, Prime Batteries, ProCredit Bank, PPC, Romgaz, Renomia Gallagher, Rompetrol, Schneider Electric, SolaX Power, Transelectrica, Transgaz, Volt, Yeo, Waldevar, WTW Romania. Cu sprijinul Alexandrion Group, Aqua Carpatica, Domeniile Sâmburești, Imsol, Kilian Paris, Obsentum, Sixt.
The strategic partners for the Energynomics Awards 2024 were ACCER, ACUE, AFEER, AHK, AIIR, CIGRE Romania, CNR-CME, CRE, EFdeN, EPG, FPE, HENRO, PATRES, RPIA, RWEA.
Monitoring partner: Klarmedia.