We must be intelligent and pragmatic when it comes to the green transition and we must not block investments in hydropower plants, vital for Romania’s energy security, and surrender to non-governmental organizations that systematically sabotage the efforts of the Romanian state, declared the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja.

“When it comes to the green transition, we must be intelligent, therefore pragmatic. It does not mean not taking environmental factors into account, but at the same time, it does not mean blocking vital investments for Romania’s energy security. I am referring here to the hydropower plants with advanced degree of execution, 80%, 90%, 98%: Răstolița, Cornetu – Avrig, hydropower development from Paşcani, so we cannot surrender to some non-governmental organizations that come and systematically sabotage the efforts of the Romanian state to complete these investments.(…) This year, we are trying to finish at least one such investment and it would be a first after 34 years, namely the from Răstolița (…) In the energy sector, the first place is energy security, to turn on the light bulb when we press the switch. The second place is to have a competitive price of energy, because otherwise the dust is chosen for energy, for development , of jobs. And in the third place, barely, green energy, cleaner air. We are committed to this, but we cannot compromise the other two desired ones,” emphasized the Minister of Energy, according to Agerpres.

In the official’s view, Romania’s Plan regarding the green transition “is a smart one”.

“Why do I say this? Because we made the following calculation: we undertake to decarbonize our energy system and, in general, the economy. So, we have to close more coal capacities, but we bluntly said that we cannot close coal, strip or flexible production capacities, without putting anything similar in place. And then, in the short and medium term, we work on gas groups. That means somewhere around 3,500 megawatts – from Mintia 1,700, to Işalnița , Turceni 475, plus the CETs that are being modernized in Arad, Craiova, Râmnicu Vâlcea. In the medium and long term, solar, but very important, nuclear energy. 3 and 4 from Cernavoda , where the calendar is firmly 2031-2032 plus, in the meantime, until 2029, the refurbishment of Unit 1 and the extension for another 30 years,” said Burduja.

He pointed out that the total value of investments in the energy sector, financed last year, exceeds 22-23 billion euro.