We are in a situation where gas consumption has increased greatly during this period, but Romania is completely outside the scenario in which we would suffer from an energy shortage or in which a systemic failure of the National Energy System would occur, declared, on Monday, at the end of the National Energy Command, the Minister of Energy, Bogdan Ivan.

“At the moment, today we had the highest consumption this winter and in the last four years, of 9,235 MW instant, which automatically leads us to an additional need for electricity. We are mobilized both with Hidroelectrica, which is in very good condition, we have a fairly stable energy mix due to the fact that we produce approximately 1,000 MW from wind power. Also, our colleagues from the Oltenia Energy Complex produce maximum energy from coal. We are in a situation where gas consumption has increased greatly. We have an average increase, compared to the same period last year, of 14.5%. We have reached the psychological threshold of 60 million cubic meters per day, consumption, which automatically leads us to the increasing need to synchronize everything that means extraction from deposits and production, plus to balance the import area in certain intervals. We are in a situation where, today, in our deposits we have a 59% filling rate at the gas deposits, we are with 10% above the European Union average and in the situation where, since this summer, when we decided to fill 100% in the warehouses, it turns out that it was an inspired decision, because today, when we have these frosty periods, we can say that we are prepared to face any challenges”, said Ivan, quoted by Agerpres.

According to the relevant minister, this frosty period will last until Wednesday, January 21, and the National Energy System is prepared to the maximum, both in relation to the production of electricity and natural gas, transportation, distribution and supply.

“Following unfavorable weather conditions, system failures occurred in Suceava County. In four localities, there are 700 consumers without power, but we are working hard to reconnect them. We are also in a situation where, today, Romania is also prepared in terms of coal stocks, although our colleagues from Valea Jiului and from the Oltenia Energy Complex faced temperatures of minus 15 degrees during this period. They were at work, they extracted around 25,000 tons of coal every day. Our colleagues from Paroșeni are working and will keep the coal-fired power plants running to ensure that, during this period, we have enough electricity. We maintain the same gap of approximately 1,200 MW on imports. I think it is most important that people at home know, in order to avoid topics that create emotion, that Romania is, today, totally outside the scenario in which we should lead lack of energy, outside the scenario in which a systemic failure of the National Energy System occurs. Everyone is prepared and I have personally ensured that each of the responsible companies is prepared with all the specialists both in the dispatch area and in the field. The conclusion is that we have gas, we have energy, we are operating at full capacity to ensure that we overcome this frosty period. In terms of gas, I can say that we have deposits of approximately 170 billion cubic meters larger than in the same period last year”, the official explained.