On October 14, the European Commission sent Romania an analysis of Romania’s National Plan on Energy and Climate Change 2021-2030 (PNIESC). The plan is the document that defines how Romania will act in the field of energy in the next decade, in the context of a global climate crisis, according to Greenpeace.
The European Commission says about the final document of PNIESC that it is incomplete, lacking in ambition, lacking in critical points, where Romania should show its determination to detach itself from the use of fossil fuels.
The Commission notices Romania’s lack of ambition regarding the renewable energy target. Romania continues to support a low target of 30.7%, although the potential for renewable energy is much higher. According to calculations, our country could have reached a renewable energy target of 34% by 2030. In addition, the analysis notes that development strategies, work schedule, expected impact and financial resources are lacking to support public policies and concrete measures to transition to an emission-neutral economy.
In order to integrate as much renewable energy as possible and to increase the flexibility of the national energy system, the plan indicates the need for additional electricity storage capacity. The plan recommends integrating energy storage systems into batteries, however, there is no target or target for these storage capacities.
In terms of energy efficiency in Romania, national contributions to the European target for primary energy consumption (until 2030) are considered not at all ambitious (25,7 Mtoe). The renovation rate of the buildings will be 3-4%. In addition, Romania has not yet sent the long-term renovation strategy to the European Commission. The Commission encourages measures on the energy efficiency of district heating networks.
At the same time, the Commission’s recommendations also address the fair transition process. Romania’s plan includes some references about the impact that the transition to a green economy will have on jobs, especially in mining areas. Unfortunately, the project does not present a concrete schedule for the elimination of coal production in order to be able to effectively address the complicated situation of communities – economic diversification in a fair and sustainable manner. Independent studies show that the energy transition from coal to green energy will cost less if this transition is made faster.
The European Commission also refers to the way in which the central authorities managed the public consultations and points out that it is not clear how the views of the participants in the public consultations were integrated into the final plan. It also draws attention to the fact that the National Energy and Climate Change Plan has not been subject to a strategic environmental impact assessment under Directive 2001/42/EC.
“We do not have very high expectations from this plan, which is imbued with nuclear, gas and coal, although climate change is knocking on our door. The analysis carried out by the European Commission shows us that the Romanian authorities are totally unprepared for the elaboration of an efficient plan. The European Commission has put us in front of reality, as in the famous story with ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes.’ The plan proposed by Romania is unconvincing to weak and the recommendations of the European forum so far have been almost ignored.
“The good part is that things will not stay that way, because the new European Climate Law will bring much more ambitious targets. Once implemented, it will force the Romanian authorities to accelerate the energy transition, to give up coal and gas and to invest in green energy,” says Vlad Cătună, Greenpeace campaign coordinator.