Energy efficiency - a market of approximately five billion Euros

The implementation of the European directive concerning energy efficiency (ed. note: measures intended to reduce the consumption of energy and natural gas) in Romania will create a market of approximately 5 billion Euros, several experts in the sector told us, considering the need for thermal rehabilitation in the coming 6-7 years.

Yesterday, in an energy conference, Iulian Iancu, the president of the Commission for Industries and Services of the Chamber of Deputies, said: "At the level of the European Union, there are 700-800,000 of ESCO companies (specializing in energy services), which have a market of 7.5-8.5 billion Euros a year, but the potential is 25 billion Euros a year. Romania is lacking this kind of specialized companies, but they will certainly be created, once the directive is implemented. These companies, as well as the energy efficiency works will create thousands of jobs in the coming years if we find practical and realistic financing mechanisms. I think and I hope that energy efficiency will turn into a topic discussed nationwide, a program through which Romania's economy stands a chance at a turnaround in the coming years".

He says that Romania has an energy intensity which is three times higher than the EU average, and residential buildings can save 40% of the energy they use on heating-cooling if insulated correctly and if going through an energy efficiency program. The MP said: "The simple act of insulation saves the building owners money. But in order for the efficiency increase to be completed, the central heating system must also be upgraded, as well as the plumbing inside the buildings. This potential for savings represents an important energy resource, which can bring in the future a far lower dependency on imports".

Iulian Iancu announced that the law which incorporates the provisions of the directive into the national legislation will go up for the final vote this in the specialized commission of the Chamber of Deputies, after being submitted to the approval of the joint meeting of the two chambers. The passing of the directive in the national legislation must take place this week, to avoid an infringement procedure, Mr. Iancu also said. "We have already received an infringement procedure letter because we did not have the national action plan ready by April 30th. The EU has already sent the letters to the many European countries that did not fulfill this commitment".

The president of the Industries Commission has mentioned that the law for passing the directive would not indicate just one financing option, but would instead provide several financing schemes, tailored to the consumers' profiles: "The population has certain needs and ability to bear the costs of the rehabilitation works, whereas the industry has a different set. I think that the best solution would be for the law to offer the necessary framework for the existence of tailored financing schemes. They must be drawn up by an Authority for Energy Efficiency, which will be created, and they must be practical and truly attractive to the beneficiaries".

• Polish ambassador: " Russia has turned natural gas into a means of leverage and blackmail"

In a country such as Romania, that has such a high potential for savings, energy efficiency is crucial for ensuring energy independence, as natural gas has become a tool for blackmail and leverage for Russia, Polish ambassador in Bucharest, Marek Szczygiel said.

In his opinion, any measure that reduces the reliance on Russian imports is welcome and the time has come for the European Union to change its priorities and to put energy security first, to have a common voice when it comes to energy matters and to take steps towards bolstering its independence.

Poland has proposed a European energy program, called the EU Energy Union, which emphasizes the need for a common voice in this sector, of a greater strength in the negotiations with Russia and of the implementation of truly functional common market for natural gas. The ambassador says that most EU countries, as well as the European commission, agree to these proposals made by Poland.

Marek Szczygiel mentioned that the Polish program includes the tapping of the domestic resources of the EU member states, including shale gas, as well as the building of new gas storage warehouses.