Radio România Internațional

Tag: GAS

  • December 3, 2022 UPDATE

    December 3, 2022 UPDATE

    Meeting — During his two-day working visit to Greece, where he participated in the meeting of the leaders of the European Peoples Party, the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis had talks with his Greek counterpart, Mrs. Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Talks focused on the diversification of energy, road and railway interconnection projects in the Balkans, Romanias actions in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian refugees as well as the bilateral and European measures and actions, through the Solidarity Corridors, meant to facilitate the transit of Ukrainian grains, in order to prevent food crises in vulnerable third countries. The Greek officials reiterated, during the talks, Greece’s full support for Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area.




    Disability — ‘People with disabilities have the same rights as anyone else and they should not be affected because of their special needs’ – the Romanian Prime Minister, Nicolae Ciucă, said Saturday in a message on the International Day of People with Disabilities. He mentioned that the Government had a special project through which people in this category benefit from support worth 5,000 Euros to purchase assistive devices and technologies, other than those financed by the Social Health Insurance Fund. At the same time, in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) almost 197 million Euros are provided for projects related, among other things, to the creation and modernization of the social infrastructure for people with disabilities and to the integration of inactive people and disadvantaged workers into the labor market.




    Schengen – The Netherlands is getting closer to a vote in favor of admitting Romania and Croatia to the free movement Schengen Area​​, but not Bulgaria, which it believes does not meet the necessary conditions for the time being. A final decision will be made by the Government, after the debates in Parliament – the Dutch press announces. On the other hand, Sweden no longer opposes Romanias entry into the area of ​​free movement of people and goods. A vote on this topic was given in the Commission for European Affairs of the Swedish Parliament, based on a proposal made by the Executive. In Bucharest, the decision was welcomed by the Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă and the Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu. The only country that seems, at present, to have objections is Austria. The decision regarding the admittance of Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria into Schengen would be made at the meeting of the European Ministers of Interior and Justice on December 8, a unanimous vote being needed.



    Gaudeamus — The 29th edition of the Gaudeamus Book Fair, organized by Radio Romania, will take place in Bucharest, from Wednesday to Sunday. 200 participants will offer the public an extremely varied range of editorial products, on different supports, suitable for all ages and fields of interest, music and educational games. More than 600 editorial events and related projects have been announced. All stands will also be found in virtual format on the gaudeamus.ro website. Radio Romanias Gaudeamus book fair is financed by the Ministry of Culture.




    G7 — The head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andrii Iermak, said that the price ceiling for Russian oil agreed upon by the G7 countries, together with Australia, should be reduced to 30 dollars per barrel to hit the Russian economy hard. The G7 countries and Australia, as well as the EU countries, decided to cap the price at 60 dollars per barrel. The measure, aimed at reducing Russias income in the context of the war against Ukraine, is complementary to the European embargo on Russian oil imported by sea that comes into force on Monday. More specifically, through this capping measure, the EU forbids European companies involved in the delivery of Russian oil by sea (transportation, insurance, etc.) to offer their services, if the delivered oil exceeds the threshold of 60 dollars per barrel. The price of Russian oil is currently around 65 dollars per barrel, so this measure will have, at least for now, a limited impact on Russian oil exports. Moscow has already warned that it will not deliver oil to the countries that impose price caps.



    Export – Romania started, on Saturday, the export of gas to the Republic of Moldova (ex-Soviet state with a majority Romanian-speaking population) through the Iaşi-Ungheni pipeline, the Transgaz representatives said. According to them, it is the first time that gas is transported from Romania to the Republic of Moldova through this pipeline. On November 22, Chişinău officials stated that Gazprom would reduce natural gas deliveries to the Republic of Moldova by 56.5% from December 1, accusing that only a part of the amount of gas that Russia delivers to this country through the pipelines that cross Ukraine actually reaches the Republic of Moldova. (LS)

  • Energiequellen: Kann Rumänien unabhängig werden?

    Energiequellen: Kann Rumänien unabhängig werden?





    Der Krieg in der Ukraine hat in den meisten europäischen Ländern ein heikles Thema aufgeworfen — die Energieunabhängigkeit. Obwohl Rumänien nach den Niederlanden der zweitgrö‎ßte Erdgasproduzent der EU ist, ist das Land nach wie vor von Gasimporten abhängig. Derzeit werden täglich etwa 25 Millionen Kubikmeter Gas produziert — ausreichend für den Sommerverbrauch, aber ungenügend für die kalte Jahreszeit. Da die Speicher zu 90 % gefüllt sind, zeigen sich die Behörden zuversichtlich, dass Rumänien im glücklichen Fall eines milden Winters ohne Gasimporte auskommen kann.



    In der Stromversorgung sieht es hingegen nicht so gut aus. In letzter Zeit gab es nur wenige Momente, in denen die Energieerzeugung höher als der Verbrauch war, obwohl Rumänien nach Angaben der Behörden über eine doppelt so hohe funktionsfähige Produktionskapazität verfügt, wie das Land verbraucht. Nach Angaben der nationalen Energieregulierungsbehörde (ANRE) verfügt das Land über eine installierte Energiekapazität von fast 19.000 MWh. Den grö‎ßten Anteil an der Stromerzeugung hat die Wasserkraft, gefolgt von Kohle und Wind. Rumänien werde es bis 2027 schaffen, seine Energieunabhängigkeit zu sichern und sogar zu einer Schnittstelle der Energiesicherheit in der Region zu werden — auch für die Republik Moldau und die Ukraine –, sagt Dumitru Chiriță, Leiter der nationalen Energieregulierungsbehörde:



    Die Situation auf dem Strommarkt wird sich in dem Sinne stabilisieren, dass wir in der Lage sein werden, die für den internen Verbrauch notwendigen Produktionskapazitäten zu erreichen, aber auch um die Unterstützung für die Republik Moldau zu erhöhen. Die Situation wird also anders als die heutige Lage sein. Gleichzeitig müssen wir mit der neuen Energiestrategie überlegen, wie wir die Probleme in der Ukraine in die rumänische Energiestrategie einbeziehen können, denn wir müssen auch ein Lieferant von Energiesicherheit für die Ukraine sein, die sich in einem Krieg mit Russland befindet.“



    Zu erwähnen ist auch das von Rumänien mit Aserbaidschan, Georgien und Ungarn angesto‎ßene Projekt zur Lieferung von Erdgas durch das Schwarze Meer. Energieminister Virgil Popescu hat kürzlich erklärt, dass dieses Projekt Rumänien zu einer wichtigen Drehscheibe“ für Strom und Erdgas machen würde. Auch Ministerpräsident Nicolae Ciucă hat auf der UN-Klimakonferenz in Scharm El-Scheich erwähnt, dass Rumänien wichtige Schritte in Richtung Energieunabhängigkeit durch saubere Technologien unternimmt. Dabei meinte Ciucă zwei Absichtserklärungen für Darlehen von der US-Exim-Bank, die zum Bau der Reaktoren 3 und 4 des Kernkraftwerks im südostrumänischen Cernavodă (Kreis Constanța) verwendet werden sollen.

  • Can Romania become energy-independent?

    Can Romania become energy-independent?

    The war in Ukraine has brought to the attention a very delicate problem for both Romania and most European countries – that of energy independence. Although Romania is the EUs second largest natural gas producer, after the Netherlands, the country continues to depend on gas imports. Romania produces at present around 25 million cubic metres of gas every day, which is enough to cover consumption during summer, but not enough for the winter season. Its gas storage at 90%, authorities have given assurances that Romania can get through winter without importing gas, in case of a mild winter. However, things are different when it comes to electricity.



    Situations when energy production exceeded consumption have been very few lately and Romania has, according to the authorities, production capacities to cover consumption twice. According to the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE), Romania has an installed energy capacity of almost 19,000 MWh. The hydro power covers most of production, followed by coal and wind energy. Romania will succeed, by 2027, to become energy independent and even turn into a regional security pillar in the field, including for the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, says the ANRE chief, Dumitru Chirita: The situation in the electric power sector will stabilise, in the sense that we will manage to have the production capacities to cover the demand on the electricity market, but also to offer more support to the Republic of Moldova, so as the situation should not be the one of today. Moreover, we must consider a new energy strategy and see how we handle the integration of the problems in Ukraine into the Romanian energy strategy, because we will too have to be a supplier of energy security to Ukraine, which is fighting Russia.



    Worth mentioning is the project initiated by Romania with Azerbaijan, Georgia and Hungary, which deliver natural gas through the Black Sea. Romanian Energy Minister, Virgil Popescu, has recently said that through this project, Romania will become an important pole in terms of electricity and natural gas. At the UN conference on climate change, Romanian PM Nicolae Ciuca said Romania is making important steps towards energy independence, via clean technology, in the context of submitting two letters of intent for loans from US Exim Bank, to build reactors 3 and 4 of the nuclear power plant in Cernavoda, south-eastern Romania. (EE)




  • Regierungskoalition einigt sich auf Strompreisdeckelung

    Regierungskoalition einigt sich auf Strompreisdeckelung





    Die Regierungskoalition in Bukarest hat sich am Mittwoch auf eine Lösung zur Abfederung der hohen Energiepreise geeinigt, die von den privaten und gewerblichen Verbrauchern gleicherma‎ßen erwartet wurde. Nach wochenlangen Diskussionen erzielten die Spitzenpolitiker der Liberalen (PNL), der Sozialdemokraten (PSD) und des Ungarnverbandes (UDMR) eine Einigung. Die neuen Bestimmungen gelten ab dem nächsten Jahr und betreffen Konsumenten mit einem Verbrauch von mehr als 255 kWh im Monat, die derzeit exorbitante Rechnungen bezahlen müssen, da die Tarife in den letzten Monaten auf ein noch nie dagewesenes Niveau gestiegen sind.


    In Rumänien wurden die Strom- und Gaspreise ab dem 1. November 2021 gedeckelt, nachdem der Strom- und Gasmarkt am 1. Juli letzten Jahres komplett liberalisiert worden war, während gleichzeitig auf internationaler Ebene erhebliche Preiserhöhungen stattfanden. Die bisherigen Lösungsansätze haben Konsumenten mit einem Stromverbrauch bis zu 300 bzw. jetzt nur noch 255 kWh geschützt, während die anderen die freien Preise bezahlen mussten. Ungünstig wirkte sich auch die Tatsache aus, dass der durchschnittliche Stromverbrauch der Haushalte im vergangenen Jahr pandemiebedingt höher war als sonst.


    Die Vereinbarung sieht nun vor, dass die derzeitigen Strompreis-Deckelungen auf umgerechnet knapp 14 Eurocents für einen monatlichen Verbrauch von bis zu 100 kWh und auf rund 16 Eurocents für bis zu 255 kWh beibehalten werden. Ab dem 1. Januar 2023 werden jedoch Haushalte, die diese Obergrenze überschreiten, und gro‎ße Unternehmen einen Festpreis von etwa 26 Eurocents pro kWh bezahlen müssen. Kleine und mittlere Unternehmen, die Lebensmittel- und Pharmaindustrie sowie Gotteshäuser zahlen ebenfalls etwa 20 Eurocents pro kWh. Der Erdgaspreis bleibt unverändert: Haushaltskunden zahlen ca. 6 Eurocents pro Kilowattstunde, die restlichen Endverbraucher ca. 7 Eurocents.



    Von den Oppositionsbänken aus fordert die nationalistische Allianz für die Einheit der Rumänen (AUR) die Regierungskoalition auf, dringend Ma‎ßnahmen zum Schutz der Bevölkerung vor steigenden Energiepreisen zu ergreifen. Der PSD-Vorsitzende Marcel Ciolacu sagte, dass die Regierung eine Dringlichkeitsverordnung zur Regulierung der Energiepreise verabschieden werde, dass aber gleichzeitig Änderungen an der aktuellen Verordnung vorgenommen würden, über die in der Abgeordnetenkammer derzeit noch diskutiert wird.



    Laut einer Ende September veröffentlichten Studie verzeichneten die Stromrechnungen in Rumänien den höchsten Anstieg in der Europäischen Union — um 124 % gegenüber dem Referenzjahr 2015. Im Vergleich dazu lag der europäische Durchschnitt der Strompreiserhöhung bei 110 %. Darüber hinaus sind die Rumänen mit einer Inflation von rund 16 % konfrontiert, die ebenfalls höher ist als im europäischen Durchschnitt, was letztendlich bedeutet, dass hierzulande alle Menschen für die laufenden Ausgaben mehr Geld aus der Tasche ziehen müssen.

  • November 6, 2022 UPDATE

    November 6, 2022 UPDATE

    GAS
    According to data released by the national company Transgaz, on Monday morning
    Romania will rely on 3 billion cubic meters of stored gas, which is tantamount
    to a storage degree of 97.7% of its total capacity. Romania has exceeded the
    quantity of stored gas in the same period last year by 701 million cubic meters.
    The minimum threshold of 80% approved for Romania in the new European
    Commission regulation was attained on September 17.








    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.










    SUPPORT Authorities in Bucharest are presently
    considering a series of 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 again. A couple of days ago, the
    country’s Prime Minister Nicolae 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.










    ENERGY Romania is presently covering 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 Moldovan president Maia Sandu her country is presently seeing the
    severest energy crisis in its history.


    (bill)

  • Romania supports R. of Moldova

    Romania supports R. of Moldova

    With a war at the country’s borders as winter
    approaches and with the country relying increasingly on electricity imported
    from Romania, the president of the R. of Moldova Maia Sandu travelled to
    Bucharest on Tuesday, to ask for the help of the Romanian authorities.


    Bucharest promised further support for the
    neighbouring state in coping with the energy crunch and with the management of
    the Ukrainian refugees, given that Moldova is the country the most affected by
    the migration of Ukrainian nationals.


    During the political consultations with president Klaus
    Iohannis, Maia Sandu thanked for the measures taken by Romania to facilitate
    the provision of electricity, natural gas, firewood and heating oil to Moldovan
    citizens. The 2 officials also analysed the p[progress of bilateral energy
    infrastructure interconnection projects.


    Klaus Iohannis voiced support for Chişinău’s efforts
    to reform its energy system in keeping with its commitments to the EU. Moreover,
    he said Bucharest will continue to support the neighbouring country on its path
    towards EU integration.


    The regional security and energy situation were also the
    main topic of the Moldovan official’s talks with PM Nicolae Ciucă. Maia Sandu once
    again thanked Romania for its prompt response related to Moldova’s electricity deficit.
    Specifically, Romania started providing electricity and natural gas to Moldova
    in an emergency procedure, after Ukraine suspended energy exports to Chișinău because
    of the Russian shelling of its power plants.


    Maia Sandu also discussed her country’s energy-related
    difficulties at an international conference on gender equality in politics,
    held in Bucharest.


    Maia Sandu: I
    know how hard it is to help others when your own citizens are in difficulty, but
    these are truly dramatic and decisive times, and we need each other. Because of
    the war, we are experiencing a major energy crisis, and we risk running out of
    gas and electricity for this winter. For Moldovan consumers, natural gas
    tariffs went up 6 times this past year, and they are currently double the
    prices in Romania. With electricity, things are just as bad. After the Russian
    Federation bombed Ukraine’s networks, Gazprom cut down to a half the volume of
    natural gas supplied to Moldova, and the supply of electricity from left of
    Dniester for the coming month is uncertain. Securing electricity for the
    country has become a daily challenge.


    Romania is not the only country committed to
    supporting Moldova. After a meeting of the Nordic Council in Helsinki on
    Tuesday, Norway (Europe’s biggest natural gas supplier) along with Finland,
    Sweden and Iceland pledged their support for Ukraine and Moldova with respect
    to this winter’s natural gas supplies. (AMP)

  • Forecasts on energy prices

    Forecasts on energy prices

    After a 60% surge this year, prompted by the war
    started by the Russian Federation in neighbouring Ukraine, energy prices are
    forecast to drop 11% next year. According to a World Bank report, a slower
    global economic growth and the Covid-related restrictions introduced in China
    may lead to an even more substantial decrease.


    In spite of this slow-down, energy prices will still
    be 75% above the past five years’ average. The WB’s latest Commodity Markets
    Outlook, made public on Wednesday, indicates that the average price of Brent
    crude oil is likely to be 92 US dollars per barrel in 2023, and expected to
    drop to 80 US dollars per barrel in 2024, but it will be nevertheless
    substantially above the USD 60 multiannual average.


    World Bank forecasts also indicate that Russia’s oil
    exports might decrease to 2 million barrels a day, as a result of the ban
    considered by the EU with respect to Russia’s oil and natural gas, adding to
    which will be restrictions related to the insurance and shipping of Russian oil
    and gas. The ban is scheduled to take effect next month.


    Moreover, the report reads, G7 is looking at a yet
    untested price-capping mechanism, which may also affect Russia’s oil exports.


    The WB analysis also takes into account the effects of
    the US dollar appreciating against the currencies of most developing economies,
    a situation that has led to rising foodstuff and fuel prices. And this, the
    financial institution warns, may deepen food insecurity which is already
    impacting 200 million people around the world. As the authors of the document
    explain, the mix of high prices for raw materials and the persistent currency
    depreciation translates into higher inflation in many countries.


    In this context, emerging and developing economies
    should prepare for higher volatility in the global financial and commodity
    markets. WB experts say that currency depreciation forced nearly 60% of the
    emerging and developing economies to face increases in oil prices in their
    local currencies, following the Russian invasion in Ukraine.


    The WB forecast also indicates that both natural gas
    and coal prices are expected to decrease in 2023 from the record-high levels
    reported this year, but natural gas prices in Europe may remain almost 4 times
    higher than the average for the past 5 years. (AMP)

  • October 19, 2022 UPDATE

    October 19, 2022 UPDATE

    NATO. The first two convoys of French armored combat vehicles set off for Romania on Tuesday, as part of an operation aimed at strengthening NATOs Eastern flank. As many as ten convoys will progressively leave the Mourmelon-le-Grand military base in eastern France, to reach Romania. French authorities have provided no details about the exact number of vehicles and their itinerary. Leclerc tanks are also to reach the Cincu military base in central Romania, to reinforce the mission under French command launched on February 28, 2022, in response to the Russian strikes in neighboring Ukraine. In parallel, special trains carrying ammunition, food and maintenance materials will also arrive in Romania.



    Gas. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented, on Wednesday, in the plenary session of the European Parliament, the new package of measures proposed by the Brussels Executive for the economic and social support of Europe in the context of the energy crisis. This package also aims to protect vulnerable people and support companies affected by the increase in energy prices. (…) 40 billion euros will be used to help households and companies suffering from high energy bills. The package of measures also includes a framework for joint purchases, with the member states going to buy together 15% of the gas needed to fill the storage facilities in the winter of 2023-2024. (…) The measures will be analyzed by European leaders this week, and later by the Ministers of Energy. If the 27 member states give the green light, community services will establish the technical details.



    Funding. 2.2 billion euros from European funds not used by Romania for the 2014-2020 programming period can be allocated to measures to mitigate the effects of the energy and economic crisis, according to the decision made on Tuesday by the European Commission. There are three types of aid that can be granted, namely: support for vulnerable households, non-refundable loans for SMEs and measures to encourage job creation. Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă specified that, in this framework, the Government will establish exactly the measures supported by European money. Meanwhile, Romania seeks to diversify its sources of energy supply. A memorandum signed, on Wednesday, in Bucharest, between the national companies Romgaz from Romania and SOCAR from Azerbaijan provides for the analysis of a possible project to transport liquefied natural gas from the east to the west of the Black Sea.




    Agriculture. Romania has submitted to the European Commission the final version of the National Strategic Plan in the field of agriculture for the period 2023-2027, the Minister of Agriculture, Petre Daea, has announced. The document includes objectives such as increasing and diversifying production or reducing the impact on the environment. During this period, Romania will benefit from 15.8 billion euros from European funds for subsidies, investments in irrigation or agricultural equipment , Minister Daea also said.



    Motion. The Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest on Wednesday rejected the simple motion against Interior Minister Lucian Bode. The motion against the Liberal minister was tabled by 55 MPs from USR and Forta Dreptei Party. The latter is a Liberal dissident party led by the former PM Ludovic Orban. The motion failed with only 88 votes in favor and 162 against. 6 MPs abstained from voting. The signatories wanted Bode to resign his position for failing to reform the institution.



    EUSDR. The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, participated on Wednesday, in the ministerial meeting of the 11th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), in videoconference format. Minister Aurescu stressed the effort made by Ukraine, as the current chair of the Danube Strategy, in exercising this mandate, from the position of the first non-EU state to assume this role, in the context of the Russian aggression. He also presented the multidimensional actions undertaken by Romania to support Ukraine, highlighting the measures for the reception and integration of Ukrainian refugees and the measures to ensure food security by facilitating the transport and transit of grain through Romania. Bogdan Aurescu also encouraged the strengthening of links between the Danube Strategy and other relevant EU initiatives for the region, such as the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea and the Black Sea Synergy.



    Award. The European Parliament awarded the people of Ukraine the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, in support of Ukraines fight against the Russian invasion, which began on February 24. The prize includes 50,000 euros, which will be awarded to representatives of civil society. The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded annually, since 1988, to individuals and organizations that fight for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is named in honor of the Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov. Last year, the prize was awarded to the Russian dissident Aleksei Navalny, for his fight against corruption and the Kremlins abuses of human rights. (MI)

  • Nachrichten 16.10.2022

    Nachrichten 16.10.2022

    Am Sonntagmorgen befanden sich in Rumänien 2,801 Milliarden Kubikmeter Gas in den Speichern, was 90,9 % der Speicherkapazität des Landes entspricht, wie der nationale Betreiber Transgaz gegenüber der Presse mitteilte. Die in der neuen Verordnung der Europäischen Kommission für Rumänien vorgesehene Mindestschwelle von 80 % wurde am 17. September erreicht. Die Präsidentin der Europäischen Kommission, Ursula von der Leyen, gab im September bekannt, dass die gemeinsamen Gasvorräte in der EU 84 % erreicht haben. Unsere Freunde in den baltischen Ländern haben große Anstrengungen unternommen, um ihre Abhängigkeit von Russland zu beenden. Sie haben in erneuerbare Energien, LNG-Terminals und Verbindungspipelines investiert. All dies wurde zu hohen Kosten erreicht, aber die Abhängigkeit von fossilen Brennstoffen in Russland hat einen viel höheren Preis. Wir müssen uns in ganz Europa von dieser Abhängigkeit befreien. Wir haben daher vereinbart, gemeinsame Bestände aufzubauen. Wir sind bereits bei 84% – mehr als unser Ziel, sagte von der Leyen.



    Die Generalinspektion der Grenzpolizei teilt mit, dass am Samstag 97.514 Personen über Grenzübergänge im ganzen Land nach Rumänien eingereist sind, darunter 8.981 ukrainische Staatsangehörige, was einem Anstieg von 1,46 % gegenüber dem Vortag entspricht. Laut einer am Sonntag von der Generalinspektion der Grenzpolizei veröffentlichten Erklärung sind seit dem 10. Februar 2022, zwei Wochen vor dem Einmarsch der russischen Armee, 2.591.400 ukrainische Bürger nach Rumänien eingereist. Die meisten von ihnen setzten ihre Reise in westeuropäische Länder fort, aber nach Angaben des Innenministeriums in Bukarest haben mehr als 4.300 von ihnen in Rumänien Asyl beantragt und erhalten und genießen alle Rechte, die die nationale Gesetzgebung vorsieht. Weitere rund 70.000 haben eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Personen, die einen vorübergehenden Schutz genießen.



    Block 1 des Kernkraftwerks Cernavodă im Südosten Rumäniens wird nach Angaben der staatlichen Gesellschaft Nuclearelectrica kontrolliert geschlossen, um einige Parameter und Schutzgrenzwerte des Stromgenerators anzupassen. Die Arbeiten werden keine Auswirkungen auf die nukleare Sicherheit, die Umwelt, das Personal oder die Bevölkerung haben. Sobald die Arbeiten abgeschlossen sind, wird die Anlage wieder an das nationale Energiesystem angeschlossen. Durch den Betrieb der beiden Reaktoren in Cernavodă deckt Nuclearelectrica rund 20 % der gesamten Energieerzeugung des Landes ab.



    Der ukrainische Präsident Wolodimir Zelensky sagte, die schwierigste Situation für seine Truppen sei derzeit in der Nähe der östlichen Stadt Bahmut. In seiner üblichen nächtlichen Botschaft an die Nation sagt Zelensky: Wir halten immer noch unsere Positionen, nachdem die von Russland unterstützten Separatisten in der Region Donezk bekannt gegeben haben, dass sie zwei Dörfer in der Nähe von Bahmut, Opistin und Ivangrad, eingenommen haben. Die Stadt, die vor dem Krieg 70.000 Einwohner hatte, wird seit Monaten erfolglos von den Russen angegriffen. Unabhängig davon wurden bei einem Feuergefecht auf einem Truppenübungsplatz in der russischen Region Belgorod nahe der Grenze zur Ukraine mindestens 11 Menschen getötet und 15 verletzt. Nach Angaben des russischen Verteidigungsministeriums handelte es sich um einen Angriff von zwei Bürgern eines Landes, das Mitglied der so genannten Gemeinschaft Unabhängiger Staaten ist, einer Organisation, die einige der ehemaligen Sowjetrepubliken vereinigt. Ein Berater von Präsident Zelensky, Oleksi Arestovich, sagt, die Angreifer seien aus Tadschikistan und hätten nach einem Streit über religiöse Fragen das Feuer aufeinander eröffnet. Die Tadschiken sind Muslime, während sich die meisten Russen als orthodoxe Christen bezeichnen.



    Das Gesundheitsministerium gab bekannt, dass in den letzten 24 Stunden 237 neue Fälle von SARS-CoV-2-Infizierten in Rumänien registriert wurden, 241 weniger als am Vortag. Insgesamt wurden in Rumänien seit Beginn der Pandemie 3.279.860 Fälle von Infektionen mit dem neuen Coronavirus registriert. 67.120 Menschen, bei denen COVID-19 diagnostiziert wurde, sind in Rumänien gestorben.

  • Talks on reducing energy consumption

    Talks on reducing energy consumption

    The Romanian Parliament is debating the government’s emergency ordinance that extends the measure of capping and compensating for energy bills until August 2023. The ordinance also provides for overtaxing energy companies and fining those that speculate on the crisis in the field through successive sales and resales. These latter measures are contested by the business environment and the opposition. All in all, it is clear that the document will undergo adjustments in Parliament.



    The governing coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Union of Ethic Hungarians in Romania (PSD – PNL – UDMR) analyzed possible changes to the ordinance that regulates prices on the energy market and the introduction of new support schemes, including to stimulate saving, as requested by the European Commission. Talks will continue next week. In order to reduce energy waste, the coalition leaders agreed that the Environment Ministry should come up with a proposal to replace filament light bulbs with economical ones as part of a scrappage program, similar to that already in place for household appliances and cars. The measure is also targeted to domestic consumers.



    On the other hand, the Ministry of Waters and Forests must put together a project for capping the price of firewood for a period of 6 months. In parallel, the export of firewood and derived products for heating could be temporarily limited, both inside and outside the EU. Prior to these discussions, the energy minister, Virgil Popescu, recommended consumers to look for suppliers on the electricity market that offer them the lowest prices. He says that the Government is considering offering bonuses to those who will manage to save energy. According to the energy minister, 90% of the population consumes less than 300 kilowatts, therefore they will benefit from the bill capping measure.



    The ordinance stipulates that a fixed price will be paid for the first 255 kilowatts consumed, and the difference up to 300 kilowatts will be charged with the price stipulated in the contract. In the case of natural gas, capping is applied regardless of consumption. Regarding the reduction of energy consumption in public institutions, minister Virgil Popescu said that each ministry come up with its own plan and take the necessary measures. Some public institutions, big electricity consumers, have already implemented measures to reduce wasting. Thus, at the huge Parliament Palace, one of the largest administrative buildings in the world, insulation for thermal purposes of some areas of the building will be undertaken, the interior lighting sources will be replaced with LED sources and the exterior lighting will be reduced by 50%. At the same time, the festive lighting of the facade was reduced to two hours. (LS)

  • Nachrichten 10.09.2022

    Nachrichten 10.09.2022

    Brüssel: Die EU-Energieminister haben sich für eine Reihe von Ma‎ßnahmen ausgesprochen, um den Anstieg der Gas- und Stromrechnungen dringend zu stoppen. Bei ihrem Treffen am Freitag in Brüssel sprachen die EU-Beamten über die Möglichkeit einer Preisobergrenze für Gasimporte und einigten sich auf eine gemeinsame Strategie, um den Anstieg der Energiepreise nach der russischen Invasion in der Ukraine zu begrenzen. Die Minister forderten die Europäische Kommission auf, “einen soliden und konkreten Vorschlag” vorzulegen, wie der tschechische Industrieminister Josef Sikela, dessen Land die rotierende EU-Ratspräsidentschaft innehat, sagte. Rumänien wurde in Brüssel vom Energieminister Virgil Popescu vertreten. Er sprach sich für eine Preisobergrenze für russisches Gas und die Einrichtung einer gemeinsamen Plattform für den Erwerb von Erdgas durch Europa aus. Was die Senkung des Verbrauchs betrifft, so argumentierte Bukarest, dass eine solche Ma‎ßnahme nach dem Willen der beteiligten Akteure unter Berücksichtigung der nationalen Kapazitäten und der Entwicklungen auf dem Markt erfolgen sollte.



    Bukarest: Die rumänische Fluggesellschaft TAROM führt am Samstag zwei neue Sonderflüge nach Griechenland durch, um BlueAir-Reisenden die Rückkehr nach Rumänien zu ermöglichen, nachdem der Billigfluganbieter bekannt gegeben hatte, dass er nicht mehr über die finanziellen Mittel zur Bezahlung des Treibstoffs verfüge. Die beiden Flüge kommen zu den vier Sonderflügen hinzu, die TAROM bereits nach Israel, Griechenland, Zypern und Spanien durchführt, um die Tausenden Rumänen, die aufgrund der Entscheidung von BlueAir auf internationalen Flughäfen festsitzen, nach Hause zu bringen. Obwohl die rumänischen Behörden die Konten der Fluggesellschaft, die mit 50 % ihres Umsatzes verschuldet ist, freigegeben haben, kündigte diese an, ihre Flüge erst ab dem 10. Oktober wieder aufzunehmen. Der Verkehrsminister Sorin Grindeanu empfahl den BlueAir-Kunden, Alternativen für die Rückkehr nach Rumänien zu finden. TAROM könne nicht alle gestrichenen Fahrten allein durchführen, teilte der Minister mit. Im Jahr 2020, mitten in der Pandemie, gewährte der Staat Blue Air einen Kredit mit staatlichen Garantien in Höhe von über 60 Millionen Euro. In diesem Sommer erhielt die Fluggesellschaft von der Nationalen Behörde für Verbraucherschutz eine Rekordstrafe von 2 Mio. EUR, nachdem sie zwischen 2021 und 2022 mehr als 11.000 Flüge im Gesamtwert von mehr als 66,5 Mio. Lei (13,7 Mio. EUR) abgesagt hatte. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt hatte Blue Air 230 Millionen Euro Schulden angehäuft.



    Bukarest: Rumänien, Griechenland, Polen und Litauen fordern die Europäische Kommission auf, ihre Haushaltsregeln zu lockern, um die Notwendigkeit zusätzlicher Verteidigungsausgaben nach der russischen Invasion in der Ukraine zu berücksichtigen, so ein gemeinsames Dokument, das von Reuters eingesehen wurde. Das Dokument fordert, dass die Kommission die aktuellen Notfälle im Bereich der Verteidigung berücksichtigt, bevor sie ein Disziplinarverfahren in Bezug auf die Maastricht-Regeln (Staatsdefizit unter 3% des BIP, Staatsverschuldung unter 60% des BIP) einleitet. Darüber hinaus zeigen die ukrainische Regierung und die Europäische Kommission in einem von der Weltbank veröffentlichten Bericht, dass der Wiederaufbau der Ukraine nach der russischen Invasion fast 350 Milliarden US-Dollar kosten könnte. Eine Summe, die sich erhöhen wird, solange der Krieg weitergeht.



    Bukarest: Die Europäische Kommission hat Rumänien eine Beihilfe in Höhe von 4 Milliarden Euro genehmigt, mit der Unternehmen in verschiedenen Sektoren vor dem Hintergrund der russischen Invasion in der Ukraine unterstützt werden sollen. Im Rahmen dieser Ma‎ßnahme wird der Gro‎ßteil des Geldes in Form von Kreditgarantien flie‎ßen, während 390 Mio. EUR in Form von direkten Zuschüssen ausgezahlt werden, um einen Teil der Kosten für die garantierten Kredite auszugleichen. Förderfähige Empfänger haben Anspruch auf neue Kredite, die durch eine staatliche Garantie von bis zu 90 % der Kreditsumme abgesichert sind, mit Laufzeiten von bis zu sechs Jahren. Bei begrenzten Beihilfebeträgen in Form von Direktzuschüssen darf die Beihilfe 75 000 EUR pro Unternehmen, das in den Sektoren Landwirtschaft, Fischerei bzw. Aquakultur tätig ist, und 500 000 EUR pro Unternehmen in allen anderen Sektoren nicht übersteigen. Die Beihilfen im Rahmen der Regelung werden bis spätestens 31. Dezember 2022 gewährt.

  • September 9, 2022 UPDATE

    September 9, 2022 UPDATE

    QUEEN The death of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in
    English history, brought her eldest son Charles to the throne. He will reign
    as King Charles III. The protocol for proclaiming a new monarch provides for
    the speedy convening of an Accession Council made up of high-ranking
    politicians, bishops of the Anglican Church, together with secular
    representatives of the Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, aged 96,
    at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She is to be brought to London, at Westminster
    Hall, and the public will have a few days to say goodbye. The funerals will
    take place at Westminster Abbey, the church where British kings are crowned.
    The BBC notes that the last funeral of a monarch at Westminster Abbey took
    place in the 18th century. After the funeral, to be attended by heads of state
    and government from around the world, the Queen will be taken to Windsor Castle
    and buried in the Saint George Chapel within its premises. The president of Romania, Klaus
    Iohannis, sent a condolence message to King Charles III. He will be officially
    proclaimed king in a ceremony to be held on Saturday, Buckingham Palace announced.


    DEFICIT Romania’s trade balance deficit in the first 7 months of this year
    increased by almost EUR 5.9 billion, to EUR 18.77 billion, as exports rose by
    23.9% and imports increased by 29%, according to data provided by the National Statistics
    Institute, made public on Friday. Between January and July 2022, exports totalled
    EUR 52.67 billion, and imports EUR 71.44 billion. On the other hand, net
    investments in the national economy totalled EUR 11 billion in the first 6
    months of this year, down 0.8% compared to the similar period in 2021, NSI data
    show.


    ENERGY The Romanian Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu, attended a special
    meeting of the EU Energy Council in Brussels on Friday, in the context of
    EU-wide discussions over the rise in energy prices. At the meeting, Romania
    supported measures such as capping Russian natural gas prices, a platform for
    the joint purchase of natural gas by the EU, and access to credit lines for
    companies with the European Central Bank, the Energy Ministry said. Romania
    also emphasised the importance of activating the EU Energy Platform for the
    joint procurement of natural gas, so as to ensure fair distribution of the
    additional gas and LNG procured by the Union. While in Brussels, Virgil Popescu
    had a bilateral meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart. Hristov Rossen. The two
    discussed the importance of regional cooperation for the joint purchase of
    natural gas, as well as for ensuring increased energy stability in the region.
    In another move, in Bucharest, energy operators have called on the Government
    to reconsider the order issued last week, which provides for capping and
    compensation of gas and electricity bills, as well as for over taxation of
    companies in the field. The Association of Energy Suppliers warns that the
    document was developed without consulting the participants in the field, thus
    jeopardizing the security of gas and electricity supply to consumers.


    COHESION The Romanian Government has adopted measures concerning one-third
    of the cohesion fund, amounting to EUR 16 billion, the Minister for Investment
    and European Projects, Marcel Bolos, has announced. He has explained that the
    money can be used to access and develop investment projects in transport
    infrastructure, health, water supply and waste management. Under the cohesion
    policy, Romania has a EUR 43 billion budget until December 31st, 2029, the
    minister has stated. The projects mainly focus on the building of 600 km of motorway
    and 3 regional emergency hospitals, in Craiova, Iasi and Cluj-Napoca.


    AID The European Commission has approved a EUR 4 bln aid scheme for
    Romania, in order to support businesses in all sectors in the context of the
    invasion of Ukraine by Russia. According to the EC, Romania’s aid scheme is
    necessary, adequate and proportionate to remedy a serious disruption to a
    member state’s economy, in accordance with EU state aid rules. Under this
    measure, the aid will take the form of guarantees for loans, with a maximum
    budget of EUR 3.6 billion, with the balance to be provided in direct grants.
    Support under the scheme will be granted until 31 December 2022 at the latest.


    TENNIS The Romanian tennis players Sorana Cîrstea and Irina Begu, ranking
    37 and 42 in the world, respectively, take part in the first edition of Ţiriac
    Foundation Trophy, held between the 10th and 18th
    September in Bucharest. The 2 players received wild cards from the organisers,
    and their current world rankings makes them seed no 1 and 2 in the tournament
    hosted by the Romanian capital city. Ţiriac Foundation Trophy is a WTA 125 tournament
    organised by the Romanian Tennis Federation and supported by the Ţiriac
    Foundation and the Sports Ministry. The main draw includes 32 players, and the
    doubles competition involves another 16. They compete for USD 115,000 in total
    prize money and 160 points in the WTA ranking. (AMP)

  • Clashes over energy price caps

    Clashes over energy price caps


    The price of natural gas went up 30% in Europe on Monday, after Russia announced that North Stream deliveries would remain suspended indefinitely.



    In Amsterdam, where natural gas reference prices for the continent are set, quotes moved over EUR 270 per MW/h. This spring, following the Russian invasion in Ukraine, they reached a record-high EUR 335 per MW, news agencies mentioned.



    The EU is looking at options to cap energy prices. Starting with Germany, which announced a EUR 65-bln package, European governments are deciding to channel large amounts into household support schemes.



    So does the coalition government in Bucharest, which resolved to extend the price cap and subsidy programme for natural gas and electricity until next August. But a new outlook shifts the financial burden of these measures to companies in the energy sector, which will be subject to additional taxes. Moreover, brokers that re-sell energy for very high prices, thus taking advantage of the energy crunch, according to the government, will be fined 5% of their turnover.



    The head of the Smart Energy Association, Dumitru Chisăliţă, believes the deadline for enforcing last weeks government order is very short and may severely affect the activity of corporate consumers:



    Dumitru Chisăliţă: “Most industrial consumers and even households have made plans, budgets, have signed contracts. Interfering mid-game, just ahead of winter, and ruining all these plans, will in my opinion bring many consumers to their knees and force them to downsize operations or even close shop.”



    The former energy minister Răzvan Nicolescu, on the other hand, argues that the new measures may reduce speculation:



    Răzvan Nicolescu: “Being able to order fines of up to 5% of turnover for those who trade energy for speculation purposes is a good thing. The fact that stakeholders have been striving for months to find a solution for their own consumption, for distribution and transport, is again, in my opinion, a good thing. And introducing a principle according to which all those who obtain undue benefits in these times should be penalised is a good thing.”



    Save Romania Union, in opposition, criticised the government order, arguing that it would destroy the energy sector and the economy. The party tabled a simple motion against the energy minister Virgil Popescu, at the very start of the new parliamentary session, which makes it its third attempt to dismiss the line minister so far. (A.M.P.)


  • August 9, 2022

    August 9, 2022

    BANK Romania’s Central Bank (BNR) has changed its
    inflation forecast for the end of this year to 13% and also estimates an
    inflation rate of 7.5% for the end of next year, shows a report presented today
    by the bank’s governor Mugur Isarescu. In May 2022, the bank forecast an
    inflation rate of 12.5% for this year and 6.7% for 2023. According to the National
    Institute for Statistics, the annual inflation rate stood at 15.1% in June this
    year from 14.5% the previous month. Last Friday, the bank’s board of directors
    decided to increase the policy interest rate to 5.5% a year from 4.75% starting
    August 8.








    TRADE Romania’s trade deficit went up to 15.44 billion
    euros in the first six months of the year, 4.74 billion higher than in the
    similar period last year, a report released by the National Institute for Statistics
    on Tuesday shows. According to the same sources, exports rose by 24% while imports
    went up by 28,5%. Romania’s exports and imports mainly consisted of machinery,
    transport equipment and other manufactured products.










    DROUGHT Roughly 243 thousand hectares of farmland in 30 Romanian counties have
    been affected by drought, the latest data released by the Ministry of
    Agriculture and Rural Development show. The surface affected has significantly grown
    since last week with many grain crops destroyed by the scorching weather.










    FESTIVAL The ‘Anonimul’ International Festival dedicated
    to indie film productions kicked off on Monday in the Danube Delta, southern
    Romania with ‘Mariupolis 2’ the last film by Lithuanian director Mantas
    Kvedaravicius, who was captured by the Russian army and killed in the Ukrainian
    region of Mariupol. The 19th edition of the festival includes two
    contests of Romanian and international short-reels. 12 titles are vying for a
    prize in the Romanian short-reel section, whereas 10 productions are to be
    screened in the international section. Another 13 film productions are to be presented
    during the festival whose winners will be decided by the public. The event also
    includes a series of round table talks between film lovers and filmmakers.








    PLAN The EU plan on the voluntary reduction of
    natural gas demand by 15% comes into effect today. Almost half of the community
    states have already been affected by reduced gas deliveries from Russia and
    most of them started to take measures to curb consumption and store gas for the
    winter season. Authorities in Germany, a country heavily relying on gas supplies
    decided that warm water should no longer be available in public institutions,
    while wells and parts of the public lighting have been shut down in several cities.
    Doors must be closed in air conditioned rooms in France while Greece has
    announced a 640 million Euro programme for renewing windows and air-conditioning
    in state institutions. Although Romania hasn’t announced a national strategy on
    reducing gas consumption yet, authorities here have recommended that citizens avoid
    excessive gas consumption.




    (bill)

  • August 6, 2022 UPDATE

    August 6, 2022 UPDATE

    INFLATION
    The National Bank of Romania Friday raised the monetary policy interest rate
    for the 6th time this year, in an effort to keep inflation in check.
    The key interest went up 0.75%, to 5,5% per year, and takes effect on Monday. The
    central bank also decided to raise the interest rates for loans and for
    deposits. Keeping a firm control on cash flows in the monetary market and
    maintaining the current levels of minimum compulsory reserves for banks’
    domestic and foreign currency liabilities are also decisions made on Friday by
    the National Bank. Experts expect a steady annual inflation rate in Q3 and a
    gradual decrease later on. In June the inflation rate reached 15.1%.


    DIASPORA
    The Romanians in the diaspora who plan to return and invest in a business that
    creates at least 2 new jobs may obtain funding of up to EUR 40,000 under the 3rd
    edition of the Start-Up Nation programme, the Romanian tourism ministry
    announced. Applicants whose start-ups create only one job may receive up to EUR
    20,000. To benefit from the EUR 4 million programme, applicants must submit
    proof of their residence abroad.


    BUDGET
    A state budget adjustment is scheduled for next week in Romania, according to
    PM Nicolae Ciucă. Among other things, expenses with supplies and services will
    be cut by 10% for each ministry. An analysis will also be conducted to ensure
    the coherence of the forthcoming budget adjustment and of the funding programmes
    for Romania.


    ECONOMY
    East-Europeans started to feel the effects of the war in Ukraine later than the
    major Western economies, due to 2-digit salary increases and generous
    subsidies. Now however, they have to reduce their expenses in order to make
    ends meet, reads a Reuters analysis, according to which the 2-digit inflation,
    the over 15% rise in foodstuff prices and the growing energy costs are affecting
    the spending power of people in Eastern Europe. In Poland, people are
    shortening their holidays, Czechs are saving by eating out less and looking for
    a second job, while in Hungary people are buying less food and a lot fewer
    durable goods. According to analysts, the risk of 2-digit inflation extending
    into 2023, as well as the new revised estimates regarding the Eurozone point to
    a risk of recession.


    NATURAL
    GAS An EU-wide 15% reduction of natural gas consumption will come into force
    early next week, the Czech presidency of the EU Council announced. The
    regulation was adopted officially, and the text will be published in the
    Official Journal on Monday and will take effect the next day. The president of
    the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, called on member states to
    prepare for the worst-case scenario of Russia suspending gas supplies. Member
    states must also secure 80% of their winter needs ahead of time.


    COVID-19 Over 6,400 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed on Saturday in
    Romania. More than 3,800 patients are hospitalised, nearly 260 of whom in ICUs,
    and 28 Covid-related deaths were reported.Since
    the start of the pandemic, nearly 66,200 people have died of COVID-19 in
    România.


    UNTOLD Cluj Napoca, north-western Romania, is hosting the most eagerly
    awaited music festival this summer, Untold. The event takes place on several
    stages, with over 200 Romanian and foreign artists, as well as the world’s best
    DJs, performing until Sunday night. This year’s theme of the festival is Temple
    of Luna, an artistic concept that highlights the mythological side of
    Transylvania, seen as a land of the night and magic. Scores of stands sell
    food, drinks, clothing and gadgets. The organisers expect over 400,000 people
    to attend this year’s edition.