Romania rejects Brussels advice, sets 2030 renewables target at 38.3%

Romania aims to increase the total capacity of its power plants to more than 32,000 MW by 2030, with 75% would run on renewable sources, according to the revised national energy and climate plan. However, the government didn’t accept the European Commission’s recommendation to raise the target share of renewables in energy consumption to 41%, setting it at 38.3% instead.

European Union member states are currently revising their national energy and climate plans (NECPs).

Romania’s target for installed electricity generation capacity is 32.3 GW, which would be 68% higher than at the end of 2022 (19,200 MW). Renewables and nuclear energy would account for the additions together with 3,500 MW in gas-powered cogeneration facilities, Economica.net reported.

The country plans to install small modular reactors (SMRs) with a total capacity of 462 MW as well as two more units at nuclear power plant Cernavodă, of 700 MW each.

The government also aims to keep electricity imports below 5% and stop importing solid fossil fuels for electricity and heat production by 2030. It would imply decommissioning coal power plants, with coal phased out by 2050.

The recommendation from Brussels is too high for Romania

Romanian authorities believe that the 41% target for renewables in total energy consumption, recommended by the administration in Brussels, is too ambitious. Their projections indicate an expected 31% share in 2025, while the initial proposal was 36.2%.

To reach the 38.3% target, Romania plans to install solar and wind facilities in the electricity sector, promote electrification in transport, and use heat pumps in the heating and cooling sector.

The share of renewables in electricity generation is projected to reach 57.8% by 2030 compared to 29.4% in transport and 41.4% in heating and cooling.

In recent years, Romania’s total energy import dependence was about 30%. A reduction in energy consumption and the launch of the Neptun Deep project for the domestic production of natural gas are expected to significantly decrease imports and make the country a net energy exporter between 2035 and 2040, media reported.