There is a real potential for Romania to become a champion of renewable energy, said the head of the Representation of the European Commission in Romania, Ramona Chiriac, according to Agerpres.

She mentioned that the PNRR, which is to bring Romania 29 billion euros, is an “ambitious” plan, but also a “historic chance” for our country “to return in force”, representing “a real country project that can accelerate Romania’s “economic transformation” and help it catch up with other Member States.

“Looking to the future, to combat climate change, pollution, and keep a planet alive – all of these are part of the European Green Deal, a pact also undertaken by Romania, which has dedicated 41% of total PNRR funding to the green economy. To achieve these goals, one in three euros spent on the entire EU multiannual budget will be directed towards the green transition, and the appropriate allocations to Romania through the PNRR could turn this real country project into an accelerator of the green transition, which will put Romania on the energy map of the future, because there is a real potential for Romania to become a champion of renewable energy and I think we need to talk about it more often. Wind and photovoltaic energy, for example, can ensure more clean energy in Romania. They can also create relaunch opportunities for areas that are otherwise recognized in Romania’s energy tradition,” Ramona Chiria said.

Regarding digitalization, she recalled that Romania has allocated 21% of the PNRR to it and added that “qualitative leaps in the coming years” can be achieved in this area as well, especially for the improvement of education and the digitalization of public administration.

“Romania’s accession has brought benefits to the internal market, billions of EU funds for development and modernization in all areas, from infrastructure or environmental protection to culture and heritage, and the figures send a clear and distinct message: Romania’s EU membership has had and still has an important impact in country’s development. Romania’s economy has grown 2.4 times. Today, Romania is the second largest economy in Eastern Europe,” she said.