Energy policy
National Energy Sector Strategy (2007-2020)
In 2007 the Romanian government approved a long term Energy Strategy, building up on the National Energy Strategy on Medium Term (see below).
The government's strategy emphasizes on :
- increasing energy efficiency
- boosting renewable energy
- diversifying import sources and transport routes
- modernising lines
- protecting critical infrastructure.
To achieve its policy objectives in the electricity sector, the strategy also recommends the creation of a national power sector champion. The state will hold 25-40 % of the new holding company, investment fund Fondul Proprieties will hold 20 %, and the remaining shares will be listed on the Bucharest stock exchange.
The strategy aims at creating public private partnerships in different sectors, for example in the nuclear field, such as building two additional units (3 and 4) of Romania's nuclear power plant in Cernavoda.
Romania's overall goal is to become an important electricity exporter and to double the power output to approximately 100 TWh by 2020, which will be more than domestic consumption.
Furthermore Romania is focusing on renewable energies and plans to increase the share up to 33 % of overall power consumption by 2010.
National Strategy for Energy Development on Medium term (2001-2004)
Approved by the Romanian Government (GD no. 647/2001), the strategy is taking into consideration the energy developments in the European Union as well as the recent developments in the National Energy System (NES).
The Strategy focuses on finacial unblocking of the energy sector, privatisation in distribution and production, stimulation of new investments and promotion of energy efficiency measures.
Development Strategy of Romanian Oil Industry up to 2010
Approved by the Romanian Government (GD 655/2002), this strategy contains as main chapters the followings:
- the Development Strategy of Extraction and Production Oil Sector;
- the Development Strategy of Refining and Petrochemistry Sector;
- the Development Strategy of Infrastructure and Distribution Sector.
National Development Strategy of Romanian Nuclear Field and the Action Plan for this Strategy Implementation
Approved by the Romanian Government (GD 1259/2002).
Legislative background
Law on the efficient use of energy
In this context, Romania has created an institutional and legal framework in conformity with the EU acquis in order to promote energy efficiency.
The main regulations in this field are as follows:
• Law No 199/2000 regarding the efficient use of energy, amended and updated by Law No 56/2006, which aims to create the necessary legal framework for the development and implementation of national policies for the efficient use of energy.
• Law No 3/2001 ratifying the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. According to the Kyoto Protocol, Romania is obliged to cut its emissions of greenhouse gases by 8% from 1989 levels between 2008 and 2012.
• Emergency Government Ordinance No 174/2002 regarding the taking of measures to thermally insulate multi-storey residential buildings, approved by Law No 211/2003.
• Government Decision No 163/2004 regarding the approval of the National Strategy for Energy Efficiency. The main objective of this strategy is the identification of possibilities and means to increase energy efficiency over the entire energy network through the implementation of suitable programmes.
• Government Decision No 1535/2003 regarding the “Strategy for the Promotion of Renewable Sources of Energy” and Government Decision No 443/10.04.2003 concerning the promotion of the production of electrical energy from renewable energy sources. This latter Government Decision was amended by Government Decision 958/2005 (transposing Directive 2001/77/EC) and forms a legal framework for the promotion of renewable sources of energy. This will have a direct impact on the reduction of energy consumption.
The above mentioned legislation has been supplemented by national legislation that transposes, in its entirety, the EU acquis dealing with energy efficiency, including timeframes for implementation.
