Bogdan Tudorache

Hidroelectrica has proposed to the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) a solution so that the energy market will be liberalized from January 1, as required by European law, but at the same time, without the electricity for the population to increase, said, on Thursday, Bogdan Badea, the general manager of the hydro energy producer.

“Following the invitation received from ANRE to discuss on the draft order folding on the proposed deregulation schedule proposed to the European Commission, we had several discussions regarding the imminent increase in price if the market were to be deregulated and would pass from new on the free market from January 1,” said Badea, quoted by Agerpres.

He previously said that the market needs to be liberalized as soon as possible, otherwise some players will take benefit. “Hidroelectrica sells cheap energy, at 255 lei per MWh. If we would take all the regulated segment of the competitive market, that would not increase the prices… Why was it necessary to return decades ago? Who won from these issues? We are waiting for an answer,” commented Badea. “I am extremely worried… Hidroelectrica and Nuclearelectrica will have to support all regulated consumption… it is not known to what extent.”

He explained that, should Hidroelectrica be pushed to overcapacity, it would have to buy from the market at a higher price and sell at a subsidized, lower price, to the benefit of certain players. Thus, the company, which sells energy today at market prices, could directly take over at last resort, including the associated costs.