The restructuring plan for the Oltenia Energy Complex is expected to be approved by the European Commission in January 2022, Energy Minister Virgil Popescu said on Tuesday.

“We expect to receive a favorable response from the European Commission on the restructuring of the Oltenia Energy Complex in January,” Popescu said after debates that led to the approval of the ministry’s budget by joint parliamentary committees, according to Agerpres.

He added that the scheme to protect energy consumers could be extended after April 2022, depending on price developments.

“Today, in the committees for economy and energy of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, the Ministry of Energy budget was approved, which ensures both the payment of compensations for non-household consumers’ bills and the payment of restructuring aid for Oltenia Energy Complex. It is a balanced budget and we can launch the investment programs through PNRR and the Modernization Fund, it allows the resumption of the Electric Up program and the payment of the support for the big energy consumers,” added Popescu.