Romania needs concrete plan to increase renewable energy target by 2030 - EC

Romania needs to come up with a concrete plan to increase its renewable energy target to 34% from 30.7% by 2030 in order to contribute to the European Union's renewable goals, the European Commission (EC) said.

Although Romania partially addressed the recommendation to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix, its plan still lacks concrete information on the envisaged policies and measures, such as prioritization, timeframes, expected impacts and investment needs, the Commission said in a report on Romania's integrated national energy and climate plan (NECP) for 2021-2030 published last month.

Romania’s overall renewable energy contribution grew from 27.9% estimated in the EC's last report issued in June 2019 to 30.7%. Although this share is 3 percentage points higher, it is still below the renewable share of at least 34% in 2030, the Commission stressed.

On energy efficiency, Romania would benefit from the introduction of additional policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030, the Commission said, adding that more detailed policies and measures would help ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the proposed measures.

The EC also recommends to Romania to make sure that the ‘energy efficiency first’ principle is properly implemented in energy-related policy and investment decisions.

"Improving energy efficiency in buildings has much potential for speeding up energy savings and contributing to the recovery of the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic," the Commission noted.

Romania is expected to provide a robust and comprehensive long-term renovation strategy that is required to set out roadmaps for decarbonisation by 2050 with ambitious milestones, measurable progress indicators, the EU's executive body said.

On energy security, concrete actions are recommended to address cooperation with neighbouring countries at EU and regional level to ensure the diversification of sources and routes. This could harness Romania’s solar, wind and hydropower potential, according to the Commission.

Finally, Romania would gain from taking concrete measures on the flexibility of the national energy system, including setting a target for additional storage. On the internal energy market, Romania is encouraged, after recently adopting legislation in this field, to take further steps towards market-based prices and a competitive retail market.

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