Romania must act decisively to reduce oligopolistic practices in its energy sector and improve its infrastructure, emphasized His Excellency Alfredo Maria Durante Mangoni, Italy’s Ambassador to Romania. Speaking at the conference “Digitalization and Energy Efficiency – Bucharest” organised by Energynomics together with the Italian Chamber of Commerce for Romania – CCIpR, Ambassador Mangoni outlined a vision for greater European solidarity and regional cooperation to tackle energy price volatility and foster innovation.
Ambassador Mangoni highlighted the role Romanian authorities must play in fostering fair competition within the energy market. “Romania could act in order to reduce oligopolistic practices and improve competition conditions on the internal market,” he stated, urging Romanian policymakers to take the lead. He also pointed to the potential contribution of Italian companies in bolstering Romania’s energy infrastructure. “Italian energy companies can contribute to the infrastructure for energy transmission,” he noted, signaling Italy’s readiness to partner with Romania in this critical area.
Solidarity in energy security and price stability
Ambassador Mangoni commended Romania, Greece, and Bulgaria for bringing the pressing issue of energy price volatility to the European Council’s attention. However, he acknowledged persistent challenges, particularly the reluctance of central European countries to allow affordable energy transit to southeastern Europe. “It’s not just a matter of central Europe countries that do not allow the transit of energy for more affordable [prices] towards southeastern Europe because they divert energy into their internal regions where the economic advantage […] is higher,” he explained.
In this context, Mangoni emphasized the need for a united European response. “The European Council […] showed a positive vision of the opportunities rather than the critical points and the clear need to accompany and channel national efforts and policies in a robust and coherent European policy framework […] building up an authentic union of energy,” he said.
United approach to energy challenges
Mangoni’s remarks also touched on the broader geopolitical and strategic energy challenges facing Europe. Reflecting on the war in Ukraine, he noted, “We are called to accelerate the definitive decoupling from the Russian energy system, whereas at our eastern borders there is a war which is played again on the energy ground.”
He reiterated Italy’s readiness to work with Romania and other European partners in addressing these challenges, stating, “We are ready and willing to cooperate in different fields […] to engage [with] the challenges that are ahead.”
The conference “Digitalization and Energy Efficiency – Bucharest” was organised by Energynomics together with the Italian Chamber of Commerce for Romania – CCIpR, with the support of our partners: Bonatti, Datacor, Elektra Renewable Support, Elvo, Enexus Renewable Energy, Generali, HBI Real Estate, Intesa Sanpaolo Bank, Keno Energy, Personnel Select, Polytrade Global, Prime Batteries Technology, Prysmian, Schneider Electric, SolarX Power, UniCredit Bank, VARD, WALDEVAR Energy, WEBUS 4 Energy.