The goal of the decarbonization initiatives and investments is to ensure that “no one is left behind” and that the energy produced is accessible to all customers at affordable costs, stated Dan Drăgan, State Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, at the 9th edition of the Energy Strategy Summit, an event organized by Energynomics.
“In 2030 we will have 10 GW installed in new renewable capacities, using all technologies. A result of these measures is that no one is left behind and that access to stable, secure and affordable energy is guaranteed for all users. Romania supports climate neutrality in 2050, something already included in the long-term strategy through which Romania has assumed targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050 that we are convinced we will achieve. We have clarity, a perspective of what we want to develop and we also have the tools at our disposal for the first time in 30 years”, Drăgan said.
According to Drăgan, for the first time in 30 years, Romania knows what it wants to do in the energy field and has all the tools it needs to reach its goals. Similarly, Romania has the necessary funds to finance these objectives. 5.3 billion euros are available through the Modernization Fund, and through the NRRP, contracts worth one billion euros will be signed by the end of this year. Another two billion euros will be allocated for new energy production capacities from renewable sources, and the first calls are to be launched by autumn.
Moreover, for investments in wind and photovoltaic units, the relevant institutions have already invited over 40 companies to sign the financing contracts. Other investments, financed both by NRRP and by the Modernization Fund, will be carried out in the sector of the production and distribution of heating agent in urban areas, but also for the transmission and distribution segments of electricity and natural gas and the production of hydrogen and energy nuclear.
“The first contracts have already been signed with the distribution operators to strengthen the resilience and security in the operation of the networks. It is a permanent open call for distribution operators. With this, we want to give momentum to prosumers as well”, said Drăgan.
Also, gas from the Neptune Deep perimeter is due to start being extracted in 2026 or 2027 and will be used in flexible and efficient low-carbon units that will be prepared to use natural gas mixed with hydrogen. These units will be put into operation at Iernut, Mintia and at CE Oltenia where two SPVs (at Turceni and Ișalnița) will accumulate an installed power of 1.3 GW.
“We consider natural gas to be a transitional fuel. We want to have efficient and full-capacity exploitation of Neptune Deep by 2026-2027. I’m hoping that we’ll get some good news on the project’s progress this month”, said the Secretary of State.
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.