Romania has the energy potential to become a regional hub, but continues to fall short on execution moving too slowly from strategic planning to actual implementation of its nuclear and energy projects, Carnegie Endowment nuclear policy scholar Daniela Lulache cautioned at Energy Strategy Summit 2026, organized by Energynomics,
“We still dreamed to be an energy hub. It wasn’t very clearly defined. We have the possibility of a very balanced energy mix, but still, we are paying some of the highest prices for electricity in Europe. This for me means that something doesn’t work properly”, Lulache stated.
Lulache, a veteran of the nuclear sector, pointed to three structural gaps threatening Romania’s plans to refurbish Unit 1 at Cernavodă, complete Units 3 and 4, and advance its SMR program. First, nuclear projects demand long-term project management discipline, a field where Western Europe has repeatedly delivered late and massively over budget over the past two decades.
Second, the highly specialized nuclear workforce cannot be conjured on short notice; Romania has historically struggled to retain top specialists in the face of intense international competition for talent. Third, Lulache flagged the underappreciated risk of nuclear non-proliferation and dual-use concerns as new technologies, newcomer countries, and major IT companies enter the sector, issues that rarely surface outside specialist or defense circles but deserve broader public attention.
Energy Strategy Summit 2026 is organised by Energynomics, with the support of our partners: Elektra Renewable Support, 4P Renewables, ABB, Alive Capital, Atmoce, Baringa, BCR, Big Store, Capalo AI, CBRE Romania, Distribuție Energie Electrică România, Eastship, Distributie Oltenia parte din Evryo, Eaton Electric, Electrica Furnizare, Electroalfa, Electroprecizia, EnergoBit, Enery, Enexus, Eurowind, Evryo, Exim Banca Romaneasca, Hagag Energy, KStar, LONGi, MBK Power Energy, MET Romania Energy, Monsson Trading, Nextpower, OX2, Romgaz, Schraubram, Sigenergy, Softenerg WEBUS 4 ENERGY, Solar Today, Sunotec, TBEA, Think Blu Solution, Transelectrica, Waldevar Energy, WTW Romania. Coffee Break Partner Enerta. Lanyard Partner Monsson Operation. Beverage Partners Aqua Carpatica, Alexandrion. Digital Partner Imsol. Mobility Partner BlackCab.