The European Commission’s Director General for Energy Ditte Juul Jørgensen “appreciated” Romania for its rapid progress in the modernisation and development of the national power system, during a meeting with her counterpart Sebastian Burduja last Friday (16 February).
“Europe needs to eliminate dependencies on hostile actors, and it needs to do this now. Because Romania is one of the countries with a strong, independent, and resource-rich energy system, benefiting from cutting-edge technologies and renowned experts, the current geopolitical context is also an opportunity for our country,” said Romania’s Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja.
“It’s an opportunity to attract investments, assert itself as the primary provider of energy security, and increase the role of national companies in the region. New capacities in renewable, gas, and nuclear power generation, Black Sea gas exploitations, and the development of energy transport networks play a key role in this process,” Minister Burduja added.
Minister Burduja informed Minister Jørgensen that Romania has expedited the process of attracting European funds. Contracts for over 1,500 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy generation capacities under the EU’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) have already been signed. Additionally, through the EU’s Modernisation Fund, the entire available sum for distribution system operators has been contracted, and further augmentation is to be requested, Romania’s Energy Ministry noted in a press release.
Nuclearelectrica is constructing the first tritium removal facility in Europe and the third in the world, addressing a crucial nuclear fuel, the ministry further noted.
The meeting also addressed the development of new hydropower capacities across Europe. In Romania, the construction of planned hydropower plants is set to be unlocked, with the implementation of the large pumped storage hydropower plant at Tarnița-Lăpuștești to commence swiftly, Romania’s Energy Ministry noted.
Procurement for planned Tarnița – Lăpuștești hydroelectric plant cancelled
Minister Burduja reiterated Romania’s need to extend the operating life of lignite mines and energy groups at Turceni and Rovinari for a necessary period until the new generation capacities come into operation. This ensures the adequacy of the national power system and a fair transition for miners and the counties in the Oltenia region.