The Energy Infrastructure Employers’ Association (PIE) officially announced its launch on November 5, bringing together 62 companies with approximately 5,800 employees and a combined turnover of more than 6 billion lei, according to the organisation’s representatives. The new association aims to represent construction contractors, equipment manufacturers and energy service providers in discussions with public authorities, investors and grid operators.
PIE covers the entire range of activities involved in developing energy infrastructure, from studies, engineering and consultancy to equipment manufacturing, construction, modernisation and maintenance. The organisation seeks to bring the perspective of companies directly involved in delivering energy investments into the development of policies and regulations.
Its main objectives include improving the legislative and regulatory framework, developing a skilled workforce, increasing investment predictability and standardising technical and commercial practices. The association’s agenda also covers digitalisation, automation, strengthening industrial capacity, fair competition and innovation.
Skills shortages and investment fluctuations are two major challenges
At the launch conference, PIE representatives highlighted the shortage of skilled workers at a time when the industry is experiencing an unusually high volume of projects. The problem is compounded by the retirement of experienced specialists and difficulties in replacing them with new generations of electricians, technicians and engineers.
“It takes years to train an electrician for operational work,” emphasised Petre Stoian, PIE’s First Vice-President. The association intends to support vocational training and cooperation between companies, technical schools and universities.
Another concern is the lack of predictability in the volume of future work. After prolonged periods of low investment, companies must now respond to rapidly growing demand, with insufficient visibility over upcoming projects. These fluctuations complicate recruitment, staff retention, equipment procurement and financing the expansion of project delivery capacity.
“We need to know what work is planned for at least the next ten years,” said Corneliu Bodea, PIE President, calling for more structured dialogue with Transelectrica and distribution system operators on their multiannual investment plans.
The association also considers it necessary to better align project budgets with actual construction and installation costs in a market affected by rising prices for materials, equipment and labour.
Leadership and development plans
Corneliu Bodea, CEO of Adrem, leads PIE, with Petre Stoian serving as First Vice-President. George Ciubotaru (Electroalfa) is Vice-President for Relations with National Institutions and Authorities, while Bogdan Nicolae Tănase serves as Vice-President for Relations with International Institutions and Authorities.
The Board of Directors also includes Ion Bălășcuță, Sofi-Sabin Marinescu, Ioan Mihăilă and Cezar-Gabriel Scînteie. Mihai Macarie serves as Secretary General.
Established by 38 founding companies, PIE has grown rapidly in just a few months and aims to expand to approximately 100 members, representing more than 10,000 employees, while strengthening its regional presence. The organisation is already working to identify a limited number of concrete priorities based on issues raised by its members and plans to assess the results of its initiatives periodically.
More information about the organisation, its leadership and member companies is available at patronatenergie.ro.