Radio România Internațional

Tag: firewood

  • Romania’s independence from Russian oil

    Romania’s independence from Russian oil

    Romania no longer relies on Russia’s oil, and the ban
    on imports from that country, which took effect on Monday, will not affect us
    because oil companies have identified alternative resources and are no longer
    buying crude from Moscow. The announcement was made by the energy minister
    Virgil Popescu at a press conference, in which he reiterated that Bucharest has
    enough oil and natural gas reserves to see this winter through. Moreover, the
    minister said, ever since last week oil companies and refineries in Romania
    have only processed non-Russian oil.


    Virgil Popescu: Romania has no natural gas supply problems,
    and you may have noticed that it is gradually becoming a regional natural gas
    hub. Gas is being taken via Romania to Moldova, to Ukraine and to Hungary. In
    other words, Romania is on its own path, on the European path, it is a natural
    gas producer and a future natural gas exporter and will ensure both Romania’s
    and the entire region’s energy security. We have no gas supply problems this
    winter as well. And Romanians must know that we have no problems in terms of
    the oil reserves, of fuels, of natural gas and of electricity.


    In turn, the general manager of the Transgaz
    Natural Gas Transport Corporation, Ioan Sterian, vowed that there is
    substantial domestic gas output and that Romanians have no reasons to fear they
    will be left without resources this winter.


    On the other hand, the shortage of firewood for
    household heating was discussed on Monday in the Chamber of Deputies. The
    environment minister, Tánczos Barna, was invited to Question Time by the AUR
    party in opposition, to speak about the problems caused by the cap on firewood
    prices, and to explain why the legal framework is unchanged although the ruling
    coalition promised they would amend a previous government order. Tánczos Barna said
    the government’s priority was to protect citizens, but admitted that the
    effects of the emergency order were not as desired. According to Tánczos Barna,
    the Romsilva National Forestry Corporation and private owners made available
    this year over one million cubic metres of firewood more than in 2021. He also
    added that the price of firewood varies from one region to another, which is
    why it was capped at EUR 80 per cubic metre, and Romsilva also took measures
    to ensure firewood for next year as well.


    Tánczos Barna: We have put together an investment plan under
    which we will create 178 new firewood storage facilities and will upgrade the 240
    existing centres, operated by Romsilva. In the next 2-3 years we will have an
    investment budget of over EUR 60 million.


    The
    AUR leader George Simion said the
    minister failed to meet the requests for the emergency order to be amended so
    that all citizens may benefit from firewood irrespective of where they live.


    And USR party, also in opposition, accused the
    environment minister of lacking the courage to take the right measures for
    citizens, although the country has all the necessary experts and resources. (AMP)

  • November 6, 2022

    November 6, 2022

    HANDBALL The Romanian women’s national handball side started off
    on the wrong foot at the European Handball Championships conceding a 28-29
    defeat to the Netherlands. The competition takes place until November 20th in
    Slovenia, North Macedonia and Montenegro. In the group’s other game, France
    clinched a 24-14 win against North Macedonia. Romania has participated in all
    the other editions of this competition except for 2006 and our handballers’
    best result was a bronze medal in 2010. At the previous edition in 2020,
    Romania ranked 12th.








    REFUGEES According to the Romanian border police, roughly 187 thousand
    people crossed Romania’s borders either to enter or to leave the country on Saturday.
    They were Romanian and foreign citizens who used over 50,500 vehicles. Out of
    them 9,158 were Ukrainian nationals, 16.81% more than the previous day.
    According to a press release, since February 10th, two weeks before
    the Russian invasion, 2.7 million Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania. Most
    of them transited the country for other destinations and over 86,500 decided to
    stay in Romania.








    ENERGY Romania is presently assuring over 90% of
    the neighboring Republic of Moldova’s need for electricity, Romanian Foreign
    Minister Bogdan Aurescu has told a TV channel. According to him, the situation has
    become severe in the neighboring country, which relies 100% on foreign supplies
    of gas and electricity. Aurescu has also mentioned Romania’s support for the
    neighboring country consisting in firewood and oil fuel. Romania has also called on the international community to give
    grants to the Republic of Moldova so that the country may buy energy on the
    free market. After the Russian invasion, Ukraine became unable to export energy
    to the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, Russian giant Gazprom announced
    in October its intention to diminish gas supplies to the Republic of Moldova due to
    the alleged disputes over the payment and the refusal of the Ukrainian pipeline
    operator to provide an all-out service for the transport of the Russian gas.
    According to president Maia Sandu, her country is presently seeing the severest
    energy crisis in its history.










    SUPPORT Authorities in Bucharest are presently
    considering alternatives to ease the access of population to firewood, after
    the initial cap of 80 Euros per cubic meter has led to a market crisis. One of
    the options could be the idea of granting vouchers to the needy. According to
    the country’s Environment Minister Tanczos Barna, the ordinance on capping
    firewood prices will be amended next week so that it may truly protect those
    who use firewood for heating in winter. He explains that the law, formerly
    endorsed by the Senate, will be amended in the Chamber of Deputies so that
    firewood may become available on the market. A couple of days ago, the
    country’s Prime Minister Ciuca admitted the initial capping measures had failed
    to yield the desired result. The opposition USR has drawn attention to the fact
    that the law has already caused irregularities on the firewood market.










    THEATRE The National Theatre Festival (NTF)
    continues in Romania until November 13. Theatre performances during this event
    will have in-person attendance, after two years of pandemic with online
    performances. The NTF includes over 60 theatre shows that have been mounted by
    state and independent theatre troupes from Romania and abroad. The festival,
    which this year unfolds under a suggestive motto, ‘Fragile borders. Fluid
    histories’ also boasts an on-air section including a series of exquisite radio
    shows.




    (bill)

  • Worries over prices of fuel

    Worries over prices of fuel

    The Bucharest government continues, this week, to analyze the energy legislation, in an attempt to control the increase in prices in the field, and is also working on a strategy for non-energy mineral resources. At the same time, the Ordinance on capping the price of firewood comes back to the attention of the senators from the specialized committees, after the document drawn up by the government triggered a crisis on the market. With regard to energy, the executive is analyzing the draft of a normative act, developed by the relevant ministry, which would regulate, under certain conditions, the internal market.



    The State Secretary with the Ministry of Energy, Dan Drăgan, says that the market has been somewhat regulated, but that new measures are being sought for the future as well. Dan Drăgan:


    “At this moment, we are analyzing all opportunities, all options and scenarios that can be prepared in case such a measure becomes necessary. The market is already somewhat regulated, through the ceilings that were established for both electricity and natural gas. As I said, we are evaluating certain scenarios that we could implement and we are also in discussions with partners in the government, namely the Ministry of Finance, to see the sources needed for these payments.”



    Also this week, the Romanian Government is preparing the strategy for non-energy mineral resources – Horizon 2035. The normative act aims to find mineral resources that can be exploited, to create a national copper industry, to produce finished products with high added value and to ensure the superior exploitation of graphite, for the production of batteries in the country.



    As regards the crisis on the Romanian wood market, after capping the price at approximately 80 Euro per cubic meter, firewood and derived products have disappeared from the market. In this context, specialists in the field point out that the capped price is not realistic, because it does not cover costs such as processing or transport. Moreover, the representatives of the ProLemn Association demand the reduction of VAT to 5% for all wooden products intended for home heating, given that the price cap has created severe blockages in the market.



    According to them, there cannot be a single price valid for all firewood distribution chains. Most likely, the Ordinance on the firewood price cap will be amended by the senators so that the vulnerable categories are supported during the winter period. The Save Romania (USR) Senator Aurel Oprinoiu explains what this support will consist of:


    “To come up with a system of vouchers, in which we can help the vulnerable ones, as we did for other categories of citizens of Romania in this period of crisis, with a ceiling and, obviously, with support for electricity or gas.”



    The senators must come up with a solution these days, otherwise the ordinance will pass silently in the current form in the Senate, which is the first chamber notified. (MI)

  • October 5, 2022

    October 5, 2022

    FIREWOOD The prices of firewood and
    wood derivatives used for heating will be capped in Romania until the end of
    March 2023. A draft emergency order in this respect is being discussed by the
    Cabinet today. Beneficiaries will include individuals, public and private
    education institutions, social service providers, local authorities and places
    of worship. The measure is intended to help Romanians cope this winter with the
    skyrocketing fuel, energy and natural gas prices. Also today the government is
    scheduled to endorse the 2030 National Forest Strategy.


    ENERGY A Pact for Clean Energy
    Resilience was launched in Romania on Tuesday. The initiative came from Smart
    Energy Association and is an invitation to the authorities and private sector
    to implement programmes and awareness raising campaigns regarding the need to
    cut energy consumption and to use clean energy sources. The president of the
    Association, Dumitru Chisăliţă, says cutting consumption should be achieved not
    through restrictive measures, but rather by improving efficiency. The
    Association also released a guideline for authorities, comprising energy saving
    solutions.


    SCHENGEN The European Parliament discusses in Strasbourg today
    Romania’s and Bulgaria’s Schengen accession. MEPs are expected to call for
    the Schengen passport-free travel area to be completed swiftly by extending it
    to all EU member states who wish to participate, with a resolution in this
    respect to be voted on in the next plenary session. Another topic on the
    European Parliament’s agenda concerns the mobilisation of Russian reserve
    troops, the illegal referendums in Ukrainian occupied regions and the nuclear
    threats voiced by the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. MEPs
    will request firm responses from member states to Russia’s preparations to
    annex Ukrainian territories and to step up military actions.


    CEREMONY The Royal House of Romania last night hosted a ceremony
    devoted to the Romanian-British partnership and the rule of Charles III. In her
    address, the Custodian of the Crown of Romania, Margareta, sent a message of
    hope and confidence to Britain’s new sovereign, King Charles III. In turn, the
    British Ambassador to Bucharest, Andrew Noble, pointed out that the British
    nationals who live in and love Romania are blessed to have a monarch who knows
    Romania so well.


    UKRAINE The president of Ukraine
    Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced fast and powerful progress for his army in the
    south of the country, where scores of localities have been reclaimed this week
    from the Russian troops. According to AFP, in his daily address
    posted on social networks, Zelenskyy promised that the Ukrainian troops would
    not stop and that it was only a matter of time until the Russians would be
    driven out of the entire Ukrainian territory. On the other hand, the Ukrainian
    president welcomed India’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity
    of Ukraine, voiced during a telephone call with PM Narendra Modi. Previously, Kyiv
    had criticised New Delhi over its neutrality. Meanwhile, in Brussels, EU
    countries Wednesday reached a political agreement on the implementation of an
    8th package of sanctions against Russia, this one in response to the illegal
    annexation of 4 Ukrainian regions.


    IAEA The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
    Rafael Grossi, will travel to Kyiv and then to Moscow this week to discuss a
    protection zone around the Ukrainian nuclear plant at Zaporizhzhya. Rafael
    Grossi will carry on consultations to have the mechanism in place as soon as
    possible, the Agency said in a news release. The nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhya,
    the largest in Europe, is occupied by Russian forces, but is still operated by
    Ukrainian personnel. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of shelling the
    plant area. (AMP)

  • September 29, 2022 UPDATE

    September 29, 2022 UPDATE

    ENERGY Romania will not be facing glitches in natural gas and
    electricity supplies, the state secretary with the Energy Ministry Dan Drăgan promised
    on Thursday. At the time, Romania has 80% of its natural gas storage facilities
    full, and hopefully the figure will be close to 90% in early November, he added.
    The official also called for solidarity between the authorities, producers and
    consumers, in line with the efforts made at EU level.


    PRICE CAPS Diesel and petrol prices will
    continue to be subsidised by roughly 10 eurocents until the end of the year, PM
    Nicolae Ciucă announced on Thursday. He said the measure has already produced
    visible results over the past 3 months, and fuel prices have been stabilised
    and even decreased. Moreover, the measure has yielded results throughout the
    supply chain, from providers to consumers. The PM added that on Saturday he
    would take part, alongside several other senior officials, including the
    president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, in the opening of
    the natural gas interconnector between Greece and Bulgaria, in Sofia.


    MONKEYPOX Romania is requesting support in managing a monkeypox
    outbreak. The National Committee for Emergency Situations Thursday decided to
    resort to the European civil protection mechanism for the medicines needed for
    approximately 150 patients. Romania has so far confirmed 40 cases, and in
    mid-September the country received from the European Commission 5,000 monkeypox
    vaccine doses, to be administered to those who get into contact with infected
    people.


    NATO NATO’s importance in countries’ national security has greatly
    increased in the eyes of the public from 14 European and North-American
    countries, according to a survey conducted by the German Marshall Fund made
    public on Thursday. The EU is also regarded as very important for the national
    security of countries in Europe. 78% of respondents said NATO is very important
    for their country’s security, as against only 67% last year. Respondents in
    countries near Russia and Ukraine place a particularly high value on NATO: 91%
    of Poles, 88% of Romanians and 87% of Lithuanians, the report says. Also, 81%
    of the European respondents said the EU is important for national security.


    UKRAINE Russia’s president Vladimir Putin is to sign on Friday the
    treaties on the annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk,
    Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, the Kremlin announced. The leaders of the 4 breakaway
    regions travelled to Moscow on Wednesday night for the ceremony, after the
    illegal referendums organised by Russia and described by both Kyiv and Western
    capitals as a sham. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is
    to hold an emergency meeting of top security and defence officials on Friday. The
    US announced plans, jointly with its allies and partners, to impose higher
    economic costs on Russia, while the European Commission proposed new sanctions. On the other hand, clashes continue to be reported in all the regions
    where the referendums were held, and several Ukrainian localities are being
    shelled. According to the Ukrainian defence ministry, the army focuses on
    regaining control over the entire Donetsk region. (AMP)

  • Energy, between supply and demand

    Energy, between supply and demand

    The crisis on the energy market is the result of a gap
    between demand and supply, the latter being a lot lower, the vice-president of
    the National Energy Regulatory Authority, Zoltan Nagy-Bege, claims. The
    Romanian says there are two solutions to the problem: expanding the supply from
    cheap sources that should lead to a drop in prices, or lowering the demand,
    which requires energy efficiency measures and eliminating energy waste, both
    for businesses and household consumers. Meanwhile, against the soaring prices
    for gas and electricity, some Romanians decided to buy wood to heat their homes
    this winter. But the price for firewood also went up, exceeding 100 EUR per
    cubic meter.

    The authorities want to cap the price, as they did for gas and
    electricity, but also to ban the export of certain wood products and
    derivatives. The Government will take a decision next week, Environment
    Minister Tánczos Barna says. Foresters associations have disagreed with the
    measure, saying the best solution would be to hand out vouchers to those who
    want to buy wood. In many cases, forestry agencies sell firewood under 100 EUR
    per cubic meter. If the authorities introduce a cap, this would not help
    household consumers. Parliament is also discussing the latest Emergency Decree
    in this field. The cap on electricity prices introduced by the Government is
    not set depending on monthly consumption, but on the average monthly price of
    last year.

    Therefore, as no one provided any explanation as to how the price is
    calculated, some Romanians ended up receiving high bills they can’t explain.
    The government subsidy scheme might undergo a number of changes, hopefully to
    the benefit of the population. The ruling coalition also expanded the list of
    beneficiaries of the current scheme, although it left out farmers. As a result,
    farmers’ associations submitted an open letter calling for lower electricity
    prices. They have warned that, otherwise, price hikes will be inevitable, and
    the domestic market will become fully reliant on external markets. There is
    also a risk that some countries might introduce a ban on exports in the event
    of a global food crisis. (VP)