Bogdan Tudorache
The target for renewables proposed by Romania to the European Commission for 2030 is of 30.5%, and gas will become an important element of transition, while coal is to be kept in the mix also shortly after 2030, but becoming greener, told energynomics.ro Niculae Havrileț, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Business Environment.
At the same time, Romania will receive 757 million euro, one of the largest financing of the Just Transition Mechanism, from the European Union.
“I see as a great opportunity for Romania, to use the professional intelligence and competence of those who act in the energy sector, to put into practice energy production projects from clean sources, including natural gas,” commented Havrileț.
“Natural gas remains the main element in ensuring the transition to clean energy. Romania has this resource more than any other European state … but also by encouraging investments in the Black Sea, to further value Romania’s resources and to ensure domestic consumption, which will increase by 25% over three – four years, in case in which the transition from coal to gas will be an important one,” Havrileț said.
Target for renewables already proposed through PNIESC – 30.5% for 2030
At the same time, the EC has requested a figure of 34% as a renewable target for 2030.
“Romania analyzed the current situation and the development in the medium term and considered that we could provide, without a special effort from the energy consumers, which support the recovery of investments in electricity, a figure of about 30.5%. But, given that the cost of technologies in the area of renewable energy is decreasing, even in photovoltaics- where the cost of investments by the unit of MW produced dropped three times, it is possible for investors to be encouraged to invest without the need for additional state aid. From this point of view, I think we have the chance and the possibility to exceed 30.5% by 2030, only through a predictable and stable policy, as investors demand,” he said.
Havrileț confirmed for energynomics.ro that the target of 30.5% was proposed to the Commission, through the new draft of National Climate Plan (PNIESC).
New capacities on gas, coal becomes “cleaner”
At the same time, the coal will remain in the mix, but it will be greened and many units will be passed on gas.
“We will start a strategy to shift the production capacity from coal to natural gas, in stages – the first investment is the one made by Romgaz at the Iernut power plant. Next is the site of the second power plant in the Romgaz portfolio, the one from Mintia, of 450 MW. There is also a very ambitious plan of the CE Oltenia for the transition of the CET Craiova2 coal-fired power plant on natural gas – another 200 MW, or, it could be two turbines, i.e. 2x200MW, so it may stand even there at 400 MW. For a period of several years we will also maintain a production capacity on coal, to ensure safety in electricity supply, meaning for system services, for the winter periods, for the baseload production, for balancing … It is desired to switch to a cleaner coal, with carbon capture and storage. Basically, we will not give up coal, but we will invest in cleaner technologies, even if they are on coal,” Havrileț added.
“And from the point of view of the adequacy of the national energy system, it is necessary to keep the capacities on coal until 2030, maybe a little after 2030, but using technologies with low greenhouse gas emissions,” concluded the MEEMA state secretary.