Ionel David, the Romanian Association for Wind Energy: In three years, Romania will become the main player in the wind energy industry of South Eastern Europe

• Every 1000 MW will bring at least 70 million Euros of taxes to the state budget

Within three years, Romania will become the main player in the wind energy industry of SE Europe, next to Greece and Turkey, Ionel David, Public Affairs Consultant of the Romanian Association for Wind Energy, said yesterday.

He predicts that wind turbines in Romania will have a total installed power of 600 MW within two years,, and 2000 MW in three years.

"The most optimistic calculations indicate a capacity of 3300 MW", said Ionel David.

In the beginning of this year, Romania had installations of 14.1 MW.

Right now, Turkey has a capacity of 801 MW, and Greece has a capacity of 1200 MW.

Each MW will attract an 1.6 - 1.8 million Euros in investments, the official of the association said. He added: "Every 1000 MW will bring at least 70 million Euros in taxes to the state budget. All these wind energy products could create up to 5,000 jobs".

Dana Duica, the executive director of the Romanian Association for Wind Energy, said that apart from Dobrogea, other areas in the country that have potential to be used for wind energy projects include Banat, Caraş Severin and the counties of Iaşi, Vaslui, Galaţi in the region of Moldavia.

He explained: "We have reached the point where there is no more room for other wind energy projects in Dobrogea. I am referring to the plots of land that have already been built on, and to the ability to integrate these projects into the grid. The last two years have been crucial for the investments in the area."

Ionel David said that the parks built by CEZ, Electrica de Portugal and Enel will become operational this year, and he added: "Over the next few years, many other players will enter the Romanian market, with names such as Verbund- the largest wind farm operator in Austria-, Martifer - number two in Portugal -, Iberdrola - which will apparently enter the market starting in 2013 - and Ep Global Energy. Petrom currently has a wind farm of 45 MW, while CEZ has a 320 MW wind farm in Fântânele, in the county of Constanţa".

The representative of the AREE said that Romania "needs to reduce its levels of CO2 emissions, amid global warming", which can be achieved by encouraging investments in renewable energy.