Romania asks the European Commission and neighboring states to accelerate the increase in interconnection capacity for electricity, as the decrease in electricity prices is a priority and essential for the competitiveness of European and Romanian industry, argues the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Energy, Cristian Bușoi.
“Mario Draghi’s recent call, which can be seen as a realistic analysis of the limits of Europe’s role in this context of international tensions, against the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine, which affects the EU and, directly, Romania, is a warning that European and national policymakers should take into account. As chairman of the Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee of the European Parliament, I had the experience of discussing with Mario Draghi measures regarding the competitiveness of industry and solutions regarding the EU energy market, with practical relevance for our country as well – and I can say that the warning of the former governor of the European Central Bank is a serious alarm signal. One of Mario Draghi’s main proposals for increasing European competitiveness aimed at reducing energy prices. And the possible implementation solutions were the consolidation of the energy market, through the centralized operation of cross-border flows; a single regulatory framework and rules that would reduce protectionism; all of this together with investments in nuclear, carbon capture, gas and renewables,” said Cristian Bușoi, in a statement quoted by Agerpres.
According to the official, Romania is affected by the high price of electricity, and the eight measures proposed last week by the Minister of Energy, Bogdan Ivan, ‘constitute a precise response framework for the decrease in prices that are weighing on citizens and industry’.
“The application of these measures must be started as quickly as possible, especially since some of the solutions require time for implementation. As Secretary of State coordinating the European and international relations of the Ministry of Energy, one of my objectives is to act insistently and supported towards the European Commission and towards the states in the region, in order to increase the interconnection capacity, as a solution with an impact in decreasing the price of energy,” considers the dignitary.
Regarding the proposal to reduce the energy price, which aims to temporarily decouple from the impact of the high marginal price in crisis situations, as a continuation of the joint efforts of Romania – Bulgaria – Greece, “it must be said that Romania can increase political pressure on the EC, through regional cooperation,” stressed Cristian Bușoi.
“Romania is acting insistently towards the European Commission and the states in the region to increase the interconnection capacity for electricity. The decrease in the price of electricity is a priority and essential for the competitiveness of European and Romanian industry,” added the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Energy.