Romania is streamlining its energy infrastructure making its buildings more energy efficient and preparing for a green future, which is reflected not only in a decrease in energy consumption and carbon emissions, but also in changed mentalities, in the adoption of a modern, energy-responsible lifestyle, according to a specialist analysis published on Thursday.

'Romania is taking increasingly decisive steps towards a sustainable future in the building sector, and its path is shaped by the interaction of three essential factors: major public and private sector investment, technological innovation and the active involvement of citizens. The experience of recent years provides us with numerous models of good practices and demonstrates that the evolution towards climate neutrality is possible (...) Changes are visible. From modernised schools to the nZEB standard (buildings with almost zero energy consumption) and weatherised blocks, to the first smart village in Romania, we are gathering more and more concrete examples of sustainable transformation (...) By mobilising European and national funds, getting the civil society and the private sector involved, and through the increasingly active participation of citizens and communities, Romania is upgrading its energy infrastructure, making its buildings more efficient, and preparing for a green future. And the result of the efforts is reflected not only in a decrease in energy consumption and carbon emissions, but also in changed mentalities, in the adoption of a modern, energy-responsible lifestyle', say Energy Policy Group (EPG) specialists.

Surveys conducted under the Efficient Romania project, between 2019 and 2024, show a significant increase in Romanians' interest in energy efficiency, a better understanding of the benefits and a growing involvement in the adoption of the necessary technical and behavioural measures.

While in 2019, half of the respondents had difficulties in understanding the concept of 'energy efficiency', and only 25% said they save on energy consumption, in 2024 responsible behaviours become the majority: 71% turn off the light when they leave the room, 59% turn off the TV when not in use, while 41% unplug appliances after use.

Also, while, in 2019, cost cuts ranked first in the list of energy efficiency benefits (49%), starting with 2022, health and comfort became the major advantages, reaching together shares between 31% and 37%, with cost reduction varying between 19% and 21%.

Financing instruments and European and national programmes facilitate the access of citizens, companies and local administrations to modern solutions for the weatherisation of buildings and the production of energy from green, renewable sources. Also, substantial funds are allocated for the rehabilitation and modernisation of district heating networks, at the same time with investments in the expansion and modernisation of electricity distribution networks.

According to the specialists, 13 cities in Romania are already participating in two complementary initiatives dedicated to transition to climate neutrality, of which three (Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest - Sector 2, and Suceava) are part of the European Mission '100 smart and climate-neutral cities', and the other ten were selected in M100, the national mirror initiative of the European Mission, aimed at extending the European model at national level.

These cities get intensive consultancy to develop climate city contracts adjusted for local specificity, as well as access to funding for green energy projects, smart mobility, circular economy and improving ecological governance.

Efficient Romania is a private project of national scope, carried out by Energy Policy Group (EPG) in partnership and with financing from OMV Petrom. The project started in the summer of 2019 and consists of running a national programme to promote energy efficiency.

The Energy Policy Group is an independent and non-profit think-tank specialising in energy and climate policies, market analysis and energy strategy, established in 2014.

OMV Petrom is the largest integrated energy producer in South-Eastern Europe, with an annual group-wide oil and gas production of approximately 40 million boe in 2023. AGERPRES (RO - editing by: Daniel Badea; EN - writing by: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)