Power from domestic output only

Power consumption on the Romanian market will be secured from the domestic production capacities only, without resorting to energy imports, according to the Romanian Economy and Trade minister, Dan Ioan Popescu.

At this moment, the nationwide power output is 79% secured by thermal power stations, 14% by hydropower stations and 7% by independent producers.

The Danube’s lower flows caused by the most severe drought of the last 160 years have triggered the shutdown, several days ago, of Cernavoda power station that secured 10% of domestic production, whereas the contribution made by power plant Hidroelectrica has halved.

“Romania is able to secure energy consumption internally through its capacities. We’d rather produce power at Iernut, for instance, with costs of 56 USD/MWh than import power for 1,000 euros/MWh,” stated Popescu. He offered as an example the situation of Italy, where, because of the drought affecting the country, Enel had to resort to imports, buying energy equivalent with 17% of demand at prices ranging between 100 and 1,600 euros/MWh. Germany and England went through similar situations.

According to the minister, Romania currently holds power reserves accounting for 10% of the total and the most cost-effective production units will start working soon.

At present, Romania imports small amounts of energy from the Republic of Moldova in the account of some debts this state holds to Romania for power supplies that were not paid for. Additional costs entailed by the production of power in thermal stations, using coal and gas, are estimated at about 3,000 billion ROL (90 million dollars) for the next four months.

The minister also stated that, among the thermal stations that helped cover the power demand were also some units the International Monetary Fund had wanted closed down. Such is the case of Doicesti and Borzesti units. adrian.mirsanu@zf.ro