Ex-Energy Minister Burduja: Romania has a solid case for asking extension of coal-fired power plants
Romania has every reason to ask Brussels to extend the operation of coal-fired power plants, as energy security is vital and these facilities cannot be retired without putting something in place, former Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja, now an honorary advisor to the prime minister and member of the Chamber of Deputies' Industry and Services Committee, declared on Friday.
'Based on an upcoming adequacy study, we have an extremely solid and correct case to make before the representatives of the European Commission, and I do not see how anyone in Brussels would take up the responsibility of not allowing Romania to extend the usage period for these power plants by a few years,' Burduja said, pointing to the failed tenders for Isalnita and Craiova, where soaring global prices for gas turbines made projects unattractive. 'Energy security means negotiating very well with the Commission until the end. I would go to Brussels every week if necessary, because it is too important a stake,' he told a specialist event on Friday.
The former minister argued that continuity is needed in the energy sector, because large projects take time, highlighting the National Energy Strategy and the need to prepare for Romania's doubling gas production by 2027. Regarding coal plants, he underlined that Romania remains committed to the 2032 closure deadline set in the Decarbonization Law, and explained that the requested extension for the Oltenia Energy Complex does not affect this timeline. He also argued that member states retain the right to adjust milestones under justified circumstances.
Sebastian Burduja participated on Friday in the 9th annual conference on the theme 'Energy with Responsibility', organized by the publication InvesTenergy under the aegis of the National Energy Regulatory Authority.
Two weeks ago, Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan warned that, without an agreement to delay coal-fired plant closures, Romania risks a blackout. An independent Transelectrica study commissioned by the ministry confirmed that shutting down the Oltenia coal-fired units would leave the system vulnerable. The Commission reminded Romania of its commitments under the NRRP, yet the minister insisted the technical evidence shows the country cannot yet give up coal without jeopardizing stability. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Tilica; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)
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