Vladimir Oprescu, General Manager of AB Energy Romania
High-efficiency cogeneration is currently not sufficiently supported or promoted. The legislative framework is outdated and does not reflect the current needs of the energy and industrial market, says Vladimir Oprescu, General Manager of AB Energy Romania. “Currently, Romania is among the few countries in the EU that do not have legislation dedicated to biomethane. In Germany, Italy, France or Poland, the sector has been regulated for years and is developing rapidly. For Romania, biomethane could represent a strategic direction for the development of renewable energy,” Vladimir Oprescu told us, in an exclusive interview offered to Energynomics.
AB is an international group with a long history in the energy sector. What is its role today in the energy transition and why did it choose to invest in Romania?
AB is an Italian industrial group founded in 1981, born in the cogeneration sector and progressively developed to become one of the main international operators in solutions for energy efficiency and low-emission energy production. In over forty years of activity we have developed an integrated industrial model: from cogeneration to biofuels, from upgrading systems for the production of biomethane to the treatment of atmospheric emissions, to photovoltaic systems.
Today the Group has over 1,400 employees, a consolidated turnover of approximately 500 million euros and a direct presence in 22 countries in Europe, America, Asia and Australia. Our vision is to contribute to the energy transition through technological solutions that are sustainable not only from an environmental point of view, but also economically and industrially. For AB, sustainability means reducing emissions, streamlining processes and increasing the competitiveness of companies.
The presence in Romania, started in 2009, is part of this international strategy. The country has an interesting energy mix, a significant industrial base and relevant potential in both the natural gas and biomass and biogas sectors. We believe that Romania can play an important role in the development of high-efficiency cogeneration solutions and, in the medium term, in the biomethane sector. Our decision was therefore to accompany this evolution through consolidated technological skills and a structured local presence.
What are the main investments and projects of the Romanian subsidiary? What are the plans for 2026 and in the medium and long term?
AB Energy Romania has been operating since 2009 and has grown steadily with the local market. We started with a team of three people and have reached over thirty employees, and by the end of 2026 we estimate that we will be approaching forty employees. Our growth is directly linked to the development of the projects implemented in Romania.
We do not limit ourselves to providing cogeneration equipment or turnkey solutions, but act as a long-term technological partner, ensuring service and maintenance – essential elements for operational continuity, reliability and performance over time.
In the coming years, we intend to increase the complexity of the solutions offered, including by integrating direct financing instruments. We will continue to promote natural gas cogeneration, but also biogas solutions and, in particular, upgrading systems for transforming biogas into biomethane.
Legislative development is essential in this area: currently, Romania is among the few countries in the EU that do not have legislation dedicated to biomethane. In Germany, Italy, France or Poland, the sector has been regulated for years and is developing rapidly. For Romania, biomethane could represent a strategic direction for the development of renewable energy.
What should Romanian institutions do to support cogeneration projects?
High-efficiency cogeneration is currently not sufficiently supported or promoted. The legislative framework is outdated and does not reflect the current needs of the energy and industrial market.
Various investment support schemes have been launched, including through European funds, but the main problem remains bureaucracy. The analysis and approval deadlines are often incompatible with the economic sustainability of the projects. When financing is approved after two or three years, the initial costs are no longer valid, and some investors choose to give up.
For district heating systems, a bonus for high-efficiency cogeneration is foreseen until 2030, but exclusively for revamping projects. New industrial projects and new centralized systems do not benefit from the same support. Without stable and structural policies in the medium and long term, the development potential remains limited.
How do you think the gas market will evolve after re-liberalization?
The natural gas market cannot be analyzed separately from the electricity market. The two vectors are structurally interconnected and have always had a complementary evolution.
Any reform generates an adjustment period, which can create uncertainty and, sometimes, speculative tendencies. In the medium and long term, however, we believe that the market will stabilize, provided that there is a clear and predictable regulatory framework, capable of supporting investments.
How should modular thermal units be used? What is the future of district heating?
District heating systems represent a fundamental pillar for urban communities, due to their energy efficiency, emission reduction and higher level of operational safety compared to individual solutions.
However, we believe that highly centralized and large-scale models are not always the most efficient in the current urban context. Systems organized by areas or neighborhoods can offer more flexibility, increased quality of service and resilience. A modular structure limits the impact of potential failures on distribution networks and contributes to a better balance of the electrical infrastructure, often under pressure due to lack of investment.
In terms of energy security and grid stability, medium or small-sized solutions (between 1 MW and 5 MW) can make a concrete contribution to the system balance.
How do you see the year 2026 for the energy sector? What will be the growth segments?
The energy market remains characterized by high volatility. In recent years, the sector has been influenced not only by internal dynamics, but also by geopolitical and economic factors external to the EU.
In this context, medium and long-term planning becomes essential. Romania can aspire to a more important role in the European energy context and contribute to regional stability, but this requires coherent and structural policies to support investments.
In addition to large production units, we believe that medium and small-scale systems will have a strategic role in balancing the system and strengthening energy security. The integration of large-capacity infrastructures with distributed generation is one of the keys to a solid, resilient and sustainable energy transition in the long term.
