Romania is preparing to adopt the emergency ordinance transposing the RED III Directive, aligning its renewable energy targets fully with those of the European Union, announced Cristian Bușoi, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, at the “Nordic Solutions for Green Transition” conference in Bucharest. “Romania’s main objective is to increase the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption by 2030, and the targets are totally aligned with the European ones,” Bușoi said. “We strongly believe that by increasing the use of renewable energy, we can meet climate goals, increase energy security, and reduce electricity costs for end consumers.”

He underlined that Romania’s energy transition is driven by a long-term strategy, clear goals for investors, and a favorable regulatory environment that accelerates the adoption of new technologies. The upcoming transposition of the RED III Directive marks a milestone in consolidating Romania’s position as one of the most active Eastern European countries in implementing EU climate legislation.

Storage and flexibility — the next critical step

Cristian Bușoi identified energy storage as Romania’s next frontier in the transition process. “Without storage, without batteries, at some point all the investments in renewable solar and wind will be very complicated,” he warned.

He explained that Romania’s generation profile increasingly resembles that of Nordic countries — with periods of high renewable output that can temporarily depress market prices. “In those times when solar energy is produced, it is a risk that prices will be lower. You all understand very well the need to invest in storage solutions that are needed to strengthen energy independence,” Bușoi added.

According to the State Secretary, storage capacity is essential for balancing the grid, integrating intermittent renewables, and securing long-term independence from imported energy. Romania’s next steps include encouraging efficient renewable storage deployment and the development of battery technologies, which will form the backbone of a more flexible and resilient energy system.

Romania’s three priorities in the EU energy agenda

Bușoi outlined three strategic priorities that Romania actively promotes at the European level:

1. Better interconnection between North-West and Central-East Europe, addressing persistent bottlenecks in cross-border transmission, particularly between Austria and Hungary. “Without really achieving the integration of all markets and finalizing the European Union energy market, it will be difficult to achieve our strategic goals,” he stressed.
2. Recognizing the role of natural gas during the transition, with Romania advocating for the use of domestic resources such as the Neptun Deep offshore project in the Black Sea — developed under stricter environmental standards than in other global regions — as a regional contributor to energy security while Europe phases out Russian imports.
3. The continued role of nuclear energy, which Bușoi described as “a zero-emission energy that can provide security of supply, a baseload source that will help us to become more resilient and to meet our climate targets.” He reaffirmed Romania’s long-term investment in the Cernavodă refurbishment, Units 3 and 4, and the small modular reactor project in Doicești, developed in partnership with the United States.

Together, these pillars form a balanced mix of transition measures — ensuring that the EU’s decarbonization path does not compromise energy security or impose disproportionate costs on citizens and industries.

Deepening Nordic–Romanian cooperation

Bușoi closed his intervention with an appeal for continued cooperation and dialogue between Romania and the Nordic countries, highlighting the value of their experience in integrating renewable energy systems. “The lessons and experiences of the Nordic countries… will be extremely beneficial for Romania,” he said. He emphasized that Romania’s transformation requires rigorous planning and joint efforts — not only between ministries and national institutions, but also with private industry, investors, and European partners. “The transformation of our energy sector is crucial for increasing resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability,” Bușoi concluded.

The “Nordic Solutions for Green Transition” conference, financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers and organized jointly by the Royal Danish Embassy, the Embassy of Finland, the Consulate of Iceland, the Embassy of Sweden, and the Norwegian Embassy in Bucharest — with the support of Energynomics — brought together policymakers, business leaders, technology providers, and representatives of civil society to explore pathways for collaboration on green energy.