“A lot of investments for this year. We approved the budget with 1.7 billion lei, which is a fantastic increase of our investment activity,” said Karoly Borbély, President of the Board at Hidroelectrica, during the Spring Cocktail, the annual flagship event organized by Energynomics. His remarks underscored the state-owned utility’s focus on long-term development, even as it faces a challenging hydrological year.
Borbély noted that while the 2024 hydrological conditions have not been favorable, the company continues to perform well. “It is not a very, very strong year in terms of hydraulicity, but we do our best to do like last year – more than 10 billion lei incomes.” He also emphasized the importance of rewarding shareholders: “Looking forward to pay dividends for the shareholders is very important for us.”
The newly approved investment budget for 2025 reflects a strategic shift toward growth and infrastructure modernization. At the same time, Borbély welcomed the national policy framework that will guide such efforts. “We saw that we have finally a strategy, an energetic strategy of Romania, which is very important document for all our participants on the market.”
Hidroelectrica continues to play a central role in the stability of the energy system. “As a most valuable company and the company who are doing the most – let’s say more than 60–70% of the ancillary services – we do our best to keep all the lights up.”
As the evening unfolded in the traditional convivial spirit of Spring Cocktail, Borbély concluded with optimism: “I would like to wish everybody a very nice evening and hopefully this year will be a better one than last year.”
For the 11th year in a row, Energynomics organized Spring Cocktail, an original concept event dedicated to the exchange of ideas on the Romanian energy industry. This year’s edition was supported by our partners: AJ Brand, Elektra Renewable Support, Electrica Furnizare, EnergoBit, European Energy, Hidroelectrica, Nova Power and Gas, OMV Petrom, Photomate, Renomia Gallagher, Romgaz, Software Media WEBUS 4 ENERGY, Waldevar.
On this occasion, we launched the 46th edition of the Energynomics Magazine, where we address key topics in the Romanian energy sector, such as the green transition and the need for sustainable industrialisation, economic opportunities from Ukraine’s reconstruction, energy market liberalisation, energy security and investment in renewables. We analyse 2025 market trends, including the impact of regulation, digitisation and energy storage. We also present major investment projects and technological innovation, along with the prospects for international energy collaboration.
“Investments are essential to ensure a modern, secure and sustainable energy system,” DEER CEO Mihaela Suciu told us. Volker Raffel, warns on the need for a rapid and efficient liberalisation of the energy market to avoid a chain crisis. State interventions in the energy market through capping schemes have disrupted natural market mechanisms and companies are still waiting for repayment of outstanding amounts. “Rapid expansion is key to meeting growing demand and staying competitive,” DRI CEO Ivan Geliukh told us. DRI, the renewable energy division of the DTEK Group, is accelerating investments in Romania and Central and Eastern Europe, with 1.4 GW already in operation and development.
Decision-makers, experts and managers are also featured in the new edition of Energynomics Magazine. Among them Jürgen Ludwig, REPOM * Dan Prodan, Vienna Energy * Cosmin Ghiță, Nuclearelectrica * Dragoș Gavriluță, Green Tech International, Daniel Apostol, FPE, Laurențiu Urluescu, AFEER, Peter Stohr, Premier Energy Group, Alexandra Floricică, ProCredit Bank, Zsuzsa Bereschi, EY Romania, Mihai Necula, Naxxar Energy Romania, Olivian Savin, Nano Energies, Ioannis Kalapodas, European Energy, Claudiu Crețu, ELCEN.