The Renewable Energy Law "could be changed"

Romanian legislation in the field of renewable energy could soon be changed, with reducing funding that manufacturers receive from this sector and is supported by overcharging consumers.

The government wants to suspend from the trading a part of green certificates granted for free to state producers, which they then sell.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta advocates - including in an interview with the international press - for a balance between the need to develop renewable energy, Romanian industry's capacity to support this development and the costs that the population should bear.

In the context where on the large consumers’ bills, as well as those of the household, appear important increasing amounts to support green energy production, national regulatory agency in the field estimates that the number of green certificates accorded to producers of energy from renewable sources should be reduced, in some cases even at half.

The Minister for Energy, Constantin Nita, says that reductions are not operated yet, but the most likely new regulations will be applied soon after the European Commission was in agreement with the project of Romanian authorities.

"The feedback I have in that yesterday was a delegation from the ministry, the Competition Council, ANRE and agreed with the proposed changes.

"There is no half-life, there is no discount, but only a postponement of the number and value of certificates", said Constantin Nita.

Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea
MTTLC, Bucharest University