The Energy Strategy for the next decade, approved by the Government

The Government adopted the new Energy Strategy of Romania 2025-2035, with the perspective of 2050, a programmatic document that establishes six essential strategic objectives for the sustainable development of the national energy sector: energy security, energy with low carbon emissions, energy efficiency, universal access and competitiveness economy, efficient energy markets and digitalisation, smart grid development and cyber security. The document aims to develop the energy sector in conditions of security, accessibility and sustainability, ensuring economic competitiveness and positioning the consumer at the center of concerns, aligning with the EU's climate targets for the years 2030, 2040 and 2050.

Regarding energy security and independence, according to the strategy our country would be independent from natural gas by 2027 and eliminate imports of solid fossil fuels by 2035. The Strategy also aims to develop a local industrial chain for the production and recycling of batteries, photovoltaic panels and other equipment necessary for renewable sources, the resumption of domestic production of uranium for nuclear consumption, eliminating imports, but also guaranteeing security energy for the Republic of Moldova.

In order to achieve the decarbonization targets, the document approved yesterday by the Government foresees the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 87% by 2035, the acceleration of the elimination of coal from the energy mix by 2032, the increase of the share of renewable sources to 44% in the gross final consumption of energy and expanding nuclear capabilities and innovative technologies through Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Romania's objective regarding the share of energy from renewable sources for the year 2035 is set by the new strategy to reach 44%, and in the year 2050 to 73%.

The document promotes the optimization of the transport and distribution infrastructure, the reduction of energy losses and the integration of advanced solutions for sustainable heating and cooling, as well as the promotion of Energy Autonomous Villages (SAE). By 2036, natural gas-based capacities will be ready to use green gases such as hydrogen (at least 50% renewable and/or low-carbon gaseous fuels, including renewable hydrogen, will be used from 2036). At the same time, by 2035, the central authorities want to ensure universal access to electricity, including in isolated and vulnerable areas, reducing regional discrepancies and dependence on fossil fuels, by expanding the traditional network, as well as integrating distributed generation solutions and micro-grids , investments in solar energy systems, small wind turbines in households and businesses, as well as the expansion of the natural gas distribution network in vulnerable urban and rural areas.

The year 2035 represents, according to the approved strategy, the year in which administrative processes will be totally simplified following digitization, the reduction of bureaucracy and the introduction of a one-stop shop for companies, which will contribute to the creation of a transparent and competitive energy market. The strategy envisages the development of critical infrastructure through digitization and the implementation of intelligent solutions for transport and distribution networks.

Among the major targets that Romania will achieve by increasing the installed capacity to produce energy from hydropower, wind and solar and geothermal sources, as well as by partially electrifying the heating and cooling systems, are: reaching a total installed capacity of 40 Gigawatts until 2035, with 80% from renewable sources; installing 19.5 Gigawatts from wind and solar sources, respectively increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity consumption from 41% in 2020 to 61% in 2035; developing a total electricity storage capacity of 2,000 Megawatts by 2030 through batteries and pumped storage hydropower plants; integration of 5% biomethane into the natural gas network by 2030 and 10% by 2050; extending the life of some existing capacity until 2035, building new large capacity as well as small modular reactor (SMR) generating capacity.

Through the implementation of the Strategy, the aim is to ensure access to electricity and thermal energy for all consumers, with an emphasis on vulnerable consumers protection and reducing energy poverty, while ensuring the functioning of competitive energy markets.