Increasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) must remain a strategic objective for Romania, and the energy industry has the potential to continue to play an important role in this, either by attracting foreign direct investment or by stimulating domestic capital. But for these investments to become a reality, a predictable and attractive legislative and regulatory framework is needed to generate confidence and increase the appetite for investment in Romania, said USR MEP Cristina Prună, Vice-Chair of the Industry and Services Committee of the Chamber of Deputies.
“Looking ahead to the immediate period ahead, it is worth mentioning what will happen from 1 July, with the end of the cap-and-compensation scheme. Without a well-functioning, transparent and competitive energy market, we cannot offer investors predictability and a clear vision. We have known for six months that the scheme would end on 1 July, after it had been extended from its original deadline of 1 April,” she told at the 11th Energy Strategy Summit, the flagship event of Energynomics.
Prună added that, from this perspective, the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) could have taken the necessary steps to prepare the transition earlier. In concrete terms, ANRE started the awareness campaign too late. Such a campaign should have started at least three months in advance so that all energy consumers would have been informed in time. Previously, George Niculescu, president of the National Energy Regulatory Authority, had said that electricity suppliers did not seem concerned about offering customers competitive price offers after 1 July, when the price cap scheme will be abolished.
“This would not only have prepared them for the change, but also put pressure on suppliers to come up with competitive offers. It is important that we as consumers are active and well informed. This is the only way we can make the most of this transition to the market, shopping around for the best deals and switching supplier if necessary. How suppliers react will naturally depend on our pressures and choices. Competition in the supply market should be encouraged and the right regulatory framework can lead to more competition and real benefits for consumers,” Prună said.
She also said that the energy distribution sector urgently needs modernisation, smart grids and more cyber-secure networks. And to be able to build them, ANRE regulations need to be updated. Fortunately, there are EU funds available that can be used effectively for investment in distribution infrastructure. This should be a priority in the coming period, Prună added.
2025 Energy Strategy Summit was organised by Energynomics, with the support of our partners: AJ Brand, Elektra Renewable Support, ABB, Adrem Asset Management, Alive Capital, BCR, DEKRA, Distribuție Energie Electrică Romania, E-Infra, Eaton Electric, Electrica Furnizare, EnergoBit, Enery, Enevo Group, Enexus, European Investment Bank, Evryo, Exim Banca Romaneasca, Delgaz Grid, Genesis Biopartner, Huawei, ING Bank, Jantzen Renewables, Keno Energy, Leader Team, LONGi, Nano Energies, Prime Batteries Technology, Procesio, Procredit Bank, Relians, Renomia, Romgaz, Schneider Electric, script.ai, Sermatec, smartPulse, Solar Today, SolaX, Think Blu Solution, Voltika, Wiren, YEO, AIployees, Aqua Carpatica, Alexandrion, Carbon Tool, Imsol.