Energy leaders attending FOREN 2026 called for a government that would heed the voice of investors, and the key themes in most of the presentations delivered at the conference were investments in grids, storage, and cybersecurity, in addition to resilience and security of supply – already recurring themes of the biennial forum.
During the opening session of the Regional Energy Forum – FOREN 2026, “Secure, Sustainable and Affordable Energy for Central and Eastern Europe,” organized by the Romanian National Committee of the World Energy Council (CNR-CME), with the support of the World Energy Council (CME), the speakers included prominent representatives and officials from government authorities (the Ministries of Energy of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, the Romanian Parliament, the Romanian Academy, ANRE); leaders from international organizations (the World Energy Council, the European Commission, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization – BSEC); and presidents and officials from major energy operators (Evryo, Electrica, Rețele Electrice România, E.ON Romania, Hidroelectrica, Transelectrica, Romgaz, Transgaz, Nuclearelectrica, Horváth Romania).
During the opening session, the importance of FOREN 2026 was highlighted for analyzing the state of the energy sectors in the countries of the region, proposing solutions to current challenges, and identifying the best ways to cooperate in jointly shaping a sustainable energy future.
During the press briefing that followed the FOREN 2026 Opening Session, CNR-CME President Ion Lungu stated: “The energy transition does not simply mean a shift from fossil fuel-based production to renewable energy-based production, but must involve: more renewable production; grids + storage, with a grid that must transition from a “passive” system to a flexible, digital, and bidirectional one; electrification of consumption; administrative reforms; massive investments; and low, stable prices. The energy transition has moved beyond the “we produce green” phase and has entered the “we manage a complex, flexible, and competitive system” phase. The key requirements in the next stage will be Flexibility and Competitiveness.”
Adnan Amin, President of the World Energy Council, emphasized: “Romania’s lesson is clear: successful transitions do not abandon the strengths of the past; they build on them to shape the future. Romania understands this well, and as Europe and the world navigate one of the most consequential periods in energy history, this experience is invaluable.”
Meanwhile, Marius Poșa, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, stated: “In energy, the most expensive resource is not gas, uranium, or electricity. The most expensive resource is time. That is why we must accelerate investments, strengthen regional cooperation, and build today the energy system we will need tomorrow.”
For his part, Ștefan Gheorghe, CEO of CNR-CME, emphasized: “This edition of FOREN –2026 – brings several new features, such as: the presence of H.E. Adnan Amin, President of the World Energy Council, and over 50 representatives from abroad, as well as an enhanced quality of discussions during the debate sessions and the papers presented.”
