The instantaneous national consumption is currently below 4,000 MW, and next week, with the Easter celebration for Orthodox and Catholic Christians, we expect the national energy system (SEN) to still be in surplus, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja wrote on Facebook on Sunday.
“Today, on Palm Sunday, we think of our loved ones, whom we celebrate today, and we enjoy good, sunny weather. Electricity consumption is low, specific to holidays, and with the sunrise, the national energy system (SEN) entered a production surplus. Often, we have the opposite problem: we do not have enough energy produced in Romania to cover all consumption; during this period, and especially at Easter, we will have low consumption and excess energy. Despite the alarmist news and constant misinformation, I announce to you with all responsibility that we are prepared and there is no risk to the energy system. At this moment, the instantaneous national consumption is below 4,000 MW, and next week, with the celebration of Easter for Orthodox and Catholic Christians, we expect the SEN to also be in surplus,” said Sebastian Burduja, according to Agerpres.
According to him, last year, on the first day of Easter, national consumption was below 3,000 MW, a record, at least for the last 30 years.
“During those mini-holiday days, photovoltaic panels were the first source of energy in our country. Thanks to all the specialists in the energy system, from energy producers, distribution operators, suppliers and even the National Energy Dispatcher, we had no problem with the adequacy of the system, everything operating within normal parameters. The same will be true now. According to the good tradition we have at the Ministry of Energy, we ensure in advance, this time too, that we will not be taken by surprise and that we will keep the lights on permanently in Romanians’ homes. Especially on Easter. For this reason, last Thursday we organized an energy command in which we analyzed several scenarios and created action plans”, wrote Sebastian Burduja.
He stressed that, from the data available to date, “there is no risk of adequacy issues in the national energy system in the context of the Easter holidays.”
“From the data we have so far from Transelectrica, energy producers and distribution operators, there is no risk of adequacy problems in the national energy system in the context of the Easter holidays. We are blessed to have a balanced energy mix, with all sources of energy production at hand. We have flexible groups that can be adapted according to consumption. If consumption is very low, we can limit energy production in the hydropower area (up to 0), we can limit the coal-fired groups at CE Oltenia and operate with only two groups (a production of 150 MW/group), ELCEN can completely stop electricity production (providing only hot water and heat for Bucharest residents), wind and photovoltaic energy can be controlled through market mechanisms”, pointed out Sebastian Burduja.
According to the minister, the two reactors at Cernavodă will operate at normal capacity, providing energy in the band at 1,400MW.
“This is one of the scenarios, and on Tuesday it will be reviewed at the next energy command that we have convened. We will have a new analysis session adapted to the updated weather forecast.”