The legislative proposal for introducing an Energy Merit, a special distinction to be awarded by the President of Romania, will be presented in Parliament soon, probably next week, said Sebastian Burduja, adviser to the Prime Minister, at a specialist event on Monday.
The energy sector, which is of critical importance to Romania, moves forward, stands strong and keeps the lights on thanks to the people working in energy and those who have vision and foresight - and here we have people who have dedicated decades to this sector. That is why I have said that very soon, probably next week, I will present in Parliament a legislative proposal for the introduction of an Energy Merit, a special distinction that the President of Romania can award. There is legislation regulating distinctions and decorations, and I believe the energy sector deserves one of its own. I take this opportunity to say, as there are MPs from all parties here, let us make it together, because it is not a matter of political partisanship but of common sense and respect for the people in energy,' Burduja said at Parliament.
Speaking at the conference Challenges of the 2025-2026 Winter for the National Energy System', the former Energy minister said that no problems are expected this winter, with gas and coal reserves at a satisfactory level.
Looking ahead to winter, since we are at the Winter Energy Focus, which is a tradition, I believe that, as every year, the winter programme has been properly prepared. Perhaps it is a bit late - I recall that last year we adopted it slightly earlier in Government - but I do not think that matters much. I believe preparations are at a good stage and I know the companies and the system well, and I do not anticipate systemic problems this winter. I have also checked the gas and coal reserves, and I think they are all at a satisfactory level,' he said.
Burduja also mentioned that Romania has made significant progress in battery storage, with projects financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and the Modernisation Fund launched last year reaching around 4,000 to 5,000 megawatt-hours of battery capacity.
What is most important - beyond simply getting through this winter, which of course is only normal - is to pursue the major directions of the energy sector, which means a national energy strategy. We have one after 17 years, adopted last year. That is a good thing; it may not be perfect, and certainly some people here are not its biggest fans, but at least we have a vision document to work on. Major investment projects, which also involve European funds and the PNRR, must be completed next summer. These include solar, wind and, of course, battery storage. There are already over 1,500 megawatt-hours of battery storage projects under construction that will be completed. I believe Romania has made great progress in storage, including through private sector investment, without European funds. From the PNRR and the Modernisation Fund, through the calls launched last year, we will reach about 4,000 to 5,000 megawatt-hours of capacity in batteries, which is already a good thing. I know the National Energy Dispatcher said we would need about 4,000 megawatts. This is a start, and I believe we will reach that level in the next two or three years,' Burduja added.
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