Does Romania need a strategy for energy storage?

Based on the EU context and planning a significant uptake of renewable energy sources in its electricity mix over the following decades, Romania must also develop a strategy for the deployment of energy storage technologies.

Can storage technologies improve energy security in Romania?

Such enhanced legislation is needed for implementing the Romanian National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), which lists ‘developing storage capacities’ as an instrument to improve energy security but lacks detail on how storage technologies will be deployed until 2030.

Does Romania have a storage policy?

In response to EU Regulation 2019/943, which clarifies the role of storage and its ownership status, the Romanian authorities transposed in Law 155/2020 (amending Energy Law 123/2012) specific provisions related to new storage facilities and their management rules.

Why does Romania need a new energy system?

The Romanian energy system is currently highly dependent fossil fuels, centralised, and to a good extent technically obsolete, being in serious need of overhaul in order to sustain the upcoming energy transition.

What are some examples of energy security issues in Romania?

One example is Romania’s NECP, which at first did not address storage technology. The updated version of 2020 was marginally improved in this respect, listing ‘developing storage capacities’ as an instrument to improve energy security, but lacking detail on the storage capacity to be developed until 2030.

How much power does Romania have?

According to the latest information from the national regulatory authority, ANRE, Romania has an installed power of 20,655 MW, with approximately 4,700 MW in coal power plants and 3,200 MW in gas-fired power plants, many of them inefficient and close to or even beyond their expected lifetime.