"Romania, forced to use coal to increase energy production"

Romania is forced to use coal to increase energy production, given the huge rise in prices around the world.

The Minister of the Environment, Tanczos Barna, declared, on our radio station, that it will be possible to even open new mines, but only on the condition that they respect the environmental standards.

Tanczos Barna: Coal-based electricity generation capacity must be maximized. Specialists and specialized companies will do everything possible for our capacities to be exploited. At the moment, coal production is reduced, because Europe has started a policy of removing the energy balance of coal, which is why all Romanian companies have started to gradually reduce the production of raw materials, practically coal, and therefore production in these thermal power plants has also been reduced. The current policy is to increase capacity to the maximum allowed. It is important to note that power plants will not be put into operation without authorization. New coal production capacity can also be opened up, if needed, to ensure the supply of thermal power plants.

The Minister of Environment also said that, in order to produce more energy, Romania must also take into account the low-power hydropower plants in different stages of execution, provided that the balance is maintained between ensuring the necessary energy and protecting the environment.

In fact, even today one of the most important investors in green energy production in Romania announced that it will invest in an additional production of up to 1.000 MW.

The EDP Renewables group's representatives discussed at Victoria Palace with Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca about the need for a stability framework necessary for projects dedicated to achieving the country's energy independence, including by using renewable resources such as solar and wind.

Translated by: Radu Matei