Romania is going through a transformation process in the energy sector, which does not only mean energy security and safety, but also the transformation of this sector into one of economic growth, claims the minister of energy, Sebastian Burduja, in a post on Facebook.
„The year 2024 was and remains a complicated year until the end. For the energy sector, we end the year with a record number of completed projects, and this is the best news. Why? Because only through a higher production of electricity and gas here, in Romania, will we manage to reduce the bills of Romanians and Romanian companies. How are we doing it? The first source of electricity production is now wind power plants, with 31.8% and 2,300 MW of active energy. The wind is blowing, especially in the Dobrogea area, and this helps us to hold on to the water reserve in the reservoirs and the coal and gas stocks. Therefore, we approach the rest of the cold season from a cautious position and we are prepared to deal with any situations: 58.8% filling degree of energy lakes; over 500,000 tonnes of coal stock; 73.7% gas stocks in warehouses (over 2.4 billion normal cubic metres),” Sebastian Burduja wrote on Facebook on Saturday.
He specified that the year 2024 brought „some good news,” being the first after many in which Romania put almost 1,200 MW into operation in new groups.
„A new promise fulfilled – to exceed 1,000 MW. It’s like on highways: every MW counts, just as every km counts. Just the other day, the National Energy Dispatcher issued commissioning agreements for photovoltaic power plants whose total installed power amounts to 185 MW,” the minister said.
Last but not least, in his opinion, 2024 is a record year for new storage capacities in Romania, thanks to private investments, PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) funds put at the disposal of the Ministry of Energy, and legislative changes initiated, especially by eliminating double taxation for those who offer storage services.
„Today, in Romania, 12 energy storage facilities are already operational, with a total power of 137.2 MW and a cumulative capacity of 269 MWh. Just the other day, 54 MW were put into operation in two storage facilities: IS Campia Turzii (Nova Power) and IS Galbiori 2 (Monsson). Through the agreements already signed from the PNRR, we will put into operation almost 1,000 MW more in the next 24 months, and through the money obtained from the Modernisation Fund, an ongoing call, we will have at least another 1,500 – 2,000 MW by 2028. Why are battery storage capacities important for Romania? Because they allow us to have more energy in the Romanian system even when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing. Each new MW means Romania’s chance to have safer, cheaper and cleaner energy. Batteries also have a vital role in balancing the national energy system. If we have over 10,000 MW in wind farms and solar parks in the works, we must also have storage capacities to measure”, he pointed out.
According to the same source, the development of these capacities is also supported, also with PNRR funds, by the production of Romanian batteries. The first agreements have already been signed, including the unique investment of Lockheed Martin in Oradea, where batteries based on world-leading technology will be produced. These companies have decided to invest in the development of batteries in our country, the head of Energy mentioned.
„Romania is going through a transformation process in the energy sector, which no longer means, although very important, only energy security and safety, independence or lower prices, but also the transformation of this sector into one of economic growth. With vision and confidence, for the energy of Romania tomorrow – forward, together!” Burduja also wrote on the social media page.
AGERPRES
