The energy sector needs more energy, flexibility, and digitalization because the future is electric. This new world, dominated by renewables, is very different and much more complex than it used to be, said Nicolas Pleșea, Managing Director of Adrem Asset Management, at the conference “International Approach: Catalyzing Romania’s energy future”, organised by Energynomics in London.

“For those who worry about the low price of energy, I have to tell you—don’t. We are living in a new world of renewables, and this world is very different in the sense that things have become much more complex than before,” he said.

He recalled his experience in Romania 15 years ago when the first wave of renewables was deployed. Back then, pricing was not an issue.

“We had many challenges, but this was not one of them. We didn’t have to worry about imbalance costs. I don’t think many people were concerned about imbalance costs back then. Well, in 2025, I think all of this has become a reality,” he added.

According to him, infrastructure is a low-risk asset class that has historically provided investors with returns between 9% and 12%. Today, batteries can generate returns of about 50%.

Pleșea stated that the key challenge we face, especially with the rise of battery technology, is automation and aggregation.

“We trade in minutes. Of course, we look at the long term, but we are more concerned with what is happening now rather than what will happen in a few years. Investors need to plan for 15 to 25 years, but what troubles us today is what is going to happen tomorrow. I hear a lot about batteries. To me, it sounds a little strange that you want to predict something that is, by nature, flexible. How would you want me to include this in a financial model? It’s impossible. So, you either take the risk or don’t bother,” he said.

The conference “International Approach: Catalyzing Romania’s energy future” was organised by Energynomics in London with the support of our partners AJ Brand, Elektra Renewable Support, Adrem Asset Management, Enexus, Nofar Energy, Parapet, Wiren.