EC Vice-President Šefčovič: Romania made huge progress on renewable energy. New capacities could be build with EU funds

Romania has made great progress in renewable energy, European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič appreciated. He is paying two-day visit in Romania, attenting also the Central and South Eastern Europe Gas Connectivity conference (CESEC) in Bucharest.

Moreover, he pointed out that Romania could help the other countries that have problems from this point of view.

“I congratulate Romania for having already met its 2020 renewables target and for making excellent progress towards its energy efficiency target and I look forward to discussing how the Clean Energy for All Europeans package can further help Romania pursue its energy transition,” Šefčovič stated, adding: ”I think we should work towards the benefit of your country, your region and the whole of the European Union.”

At the same time, he emphasized Romania’s richness in natural resources, claiming that our country should be more active in the energy market.

EC official appreciated that Romania has the capacity to produce energy, although some production units are obsolete but it lacks the energy transport infrastructure in the European Union.

Šefčovič also met with Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose and they discussed about energy security in the medium and long term, at affordable prices for consumers, a press release informs. Romania has the capacity to produce energy, although some production units are obsolete but it lacks the energy transport infrastructure in the European Union.

In this context, it was discussed the prospects for attracting EU funding the prospects of attracting funding for the construction of new capacities and energy infrastructure, including by attracting European funds.

According to Šefčovič, the energy efficiency is the best measure in the fight against energy scarcity and will lead to curbing energy bills as well as to protecting the environment. He stressed that all our countries should learn how to use public budget money, from the European Union’s budget, to add to sources from the private sector and to channel into energy efficiency investment projects.

Attending CESEC event, Miguel Arias Canete, Energy European Commissioner showed that the parties will sign an Understanding Memorandum extending the cooperation area to the energy market, renewable sources and energy efficiency.

In order to speed up the integration of gas market in Central and South-Eastern Europe and to diversify the natural gas supply sources, Romania, alongside Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary, initiated in February 2015 a working group titled CESEC (Central and South Eastern Europe Gas Connectivity Group). Six partner countries have joined this group since: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia (FYROM), the Republic of Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine.