Radio România Internațional

Tag: GAS

  • Nachrichten 22.10.2021

    Nachrichten 22.10.2021

    Die Übergangsregierung in Bukarest hat am Freitag über neue Corona-Einschränkungen für Rumänien, das sich seit dem Ausbruch der Pandemie in einer noch nie dagewesenen epidemiologischen Krise befindet, entschieden. Einige Maßnahmen wurden bereits von Präsident Klaus Iohannis nach seinem Treffen mit Entscheidungsträgern in dieser Woche angekündigt. Ab Montag haben die rumänischen Schüler zwei Wochen Ferien, die Impfpass-Pflicht wird ausgeweitet, die Maskenpflicht überall drinnen und draußen vorgeschrieben und für Ungeimpfte gilt ein Nachtausgangsverbot. Der Staatschef betonte, die einzige Lösung liege in der Impfung. Bis aber eine ausreichende Impfquote erreicht sei, seien Einschränkungen erforderlich. Laut amtlichen Angaben wurden in den letzten 24 Stunden 15.410 Corona-Fälle registriert und 357 Todesfälle gemeldet wurden. 1848 Personen liegen auf der Intensivstation.



    Der am Donnerstag von Präsident Klaus Iohannis mit der Bildung einer neuen Regierung beauftragte Interimsverteidigungsminister Nicolae Ciucă hat die Gespräche mit den Vorsitzenden der im Parlament vertretenen Parteien aufgenommen. Ein erstes Treffen mit dem Vorsitzenden des Ungarn-Verbandes Kelemen Hunor hat am Freitag stattgefunden. . Er sagte, dass die UDMR weiterhin mit der PNL regieren werde, und fügte hinzu, dass das Regierungsprogramm und die Verteilung der Ministerien in den kommenden Tagen besorochen werden. Die öko-liberale USR wird versuchen, die PNL davon zu überzeugen, einer Koalitionsregierung, die sich auf eine Mehrheit im Parlament stützt, anzustreben. Die PSD erklärt, sie werde mit Nicolae Ciucă über die Bildung einer parlamentarischen Mehrheit zur Unterstützung einer Minderheitsregierung diskutieren, während die ultranationalistische AUR erklärt, sie werde eine von Ciucă geführte Regierung nicht unterstützen. Der designierte Premierminister rief alle Parteien auf, die Bildung der neuen Exekutive zu unterstützen, damit Rumänien die aktuelle medizinische und wirtschaftliche Krise schnell überwindet.



    Der ehemalige Vorsitzende der Nationalliberalen Partei (PNL), der Vorsitzende der Abgeordnetenkammer Ludovic Orban, hat angekündigt, dass er nicht für die Regierung Ciucă stimmen und aus der liberalen Fraktion austreten werde. Er beschuldigte Präsident Klaus Iohannis und die derzeitige Parteiführung die Interessen der Rumänen verraten zu haben. Orban sagte, dass die Regierung, die keine parlamentarische Mehrheit hat, der PSD ausgeliefert sein werde und sich nicht mehr für die Modernisierung und Entwicklung erforderlichen Reformen werde einsetzen können.



    Der rumänische Staatspräsident Klaus Iohannis nimmt heute an der Tagung des Europäischen Rates in Brüssel teil. Im Mittelpunkt der Gespräche stehen die Energiefrage, die Klimakrise und der Grüne Deal. Wenn die Energiepreise weiter steigen, wird sich dies automatisch auch auf andere Preise auswirken, warnte er. Die Staats- und Regierungschefs der EU werden auch über Migration, europäische Handelspolitik und Außenbeziehungen sprechen. Zur Vorbereitung des Treffens nahm Klaus Iohannis am Montag an einer Videokonferenz mit dem Präsidenten des Europäischen Rates Charles Michel seinem litauischen Amtskollegen und den Premierministern Polens, der Slowakei und Sloweniens teil. Iohannis wies auf die Corona-Krise in Rumänien hin und betonte, dass die niedrige Impfrate wesentlich zu dieser Situation beigetragen hat. Er erklärte, dass Rumänien das europäische Katastrophenschutzverfahren aktiviert hat und dankte den Mitgliedstaaten, die das Land bereits unterstützten. In Bezug auf die Energiepreise betonte Klaus Iohannis die Notwendigkeit, rasch wirksame kurzfristige Lösungen zu finden, da die derzeitige Energiekrise schwerwiegende Auswirkungen auf alle EU-Länder haben werde, mit tiefgreifenden sozioökonomischen Folgen.



    Am Freitag hat das Parlament den Notstand im Zusammenhang mit der Gaskrise in der Republik Moldau für einen Zeitraum von 30 Tagen verhängt. Die Maßnahme wurde von der Regierung von Chisinau beantragt, um Gas aus alternativen Quellen beziehen zu können, da das russische Unternehmen Gazprom nicht mehr ausreichende Mengen liefert, um den Verbrauch sicherzustellen, teilt Radio Chisinau mit. Dem Beschluss zufolge wird während des Notstands bis zum 20. November ein Sonderregime für die Beschaffung von Erdgas im Schnellverfahren eingeführt. Bei Bedarf werden der Verbrauch von Erdgas und anderen Energieträgern rationalisiert und schnelle Instrumente zur Einziehung von Zahlungen von Verbrauchern für verbrauchtes Erdgas geschaffen. Laut Radio Chisinau laufen die Verhandlungen mit dem russischen Riesen weiter, die Regierung ist inzwischen mit anderen Staaten wie der Ukraine, Rumänien, Polen im Gespräch, Gas aus alternativen Quellen zu beziehen. Die Gaspreise sind in den letzten Monaten auf den internationalen Märkten rasant gestiegen. Einige Beamte werfen Russland Energieerpressung vor.



    In West-, Mittel- und Nordrumänien ist es kühler als am Vortag. Die Temperaturen liegen um die Normalwerte für diese Jahreszeit. Der Himmel ist überwiegend bewölkt. Es regnet im Westen, örtlich in der Landesmitte, im Nordwesten und in Gebirge. In den übrigen Landesteilen ist es warm. Der Wind weht schwach bis mäßig. Die Höchsttemperaturen lagen am Freitag zwischen 14 und 25 Grad Celsius. In Bukarest wurden am Mittag 17 Grad Celsius gemessen.

  • Romanian Senate caps electricity prices

    Romanian Senate caps electricity prices

    Electricity and natural gas prices for household consumers in Romania will be subsidised until the end of March, in keeping with an emergency order passed by the Bucharest Senate on Monday. Senators from all political parties decided unanimously that, while the order is in force, electricity prices will be capped at maximum 1 leu per kilowatt and the natural gas price at 0.37 lei per kilowatt-hour. Household consumers will thus benefit subsidies of 26 bani per kilowatt-hour for their electricity bill and of 33% of their natural gas bill by per month. Moreover, vulnerable consumers can also postpone payment of their bills by 6 months. Small and medium-sized companies will have their VAT slashed from 19% to 5% and will be exempt from paying the green certificates and the co-generation contribution.



    Liberal senator Toma Petcu explains: “We have increased the subsidy level from 25% to 33%, which is a lot. Also, we have raised the ceiling for these subsidies to 1,500 megawatts for electricity and 1,000 megawatts for gas. I believe it is very important to allow vulnerable consumers to postpone the payment of their bills by up to six months. We have all agreed we need to put a cap on prices. The difference between the capped prices and the reference prices is subsidized and we get to the level proposed by our Social Democrat colleagues. All legal entities can definitely access this support scheme. “



    Social Democrat senator Daniel Zamfir, although in favour of capping energy prices, says the normative act, in its current version, is not applicable. In his opinion, the legislative proposals of the Social Democrats, discussed in plenary session and rejected by vote, would have been a better solution to the energy price problem. Daniel Zamfir: “You chose, because of your ego, to kill our perfectly good initiative just because it comes from PSD. You did not have the gut to admit that the subsidy plan will be difficult apply and people will not benefit this measure. ”



    Romania has seen the highest increase in energy and natural gas prices in the EU, the senator also said. The price of natural gas went up by 334%, so the subsidy solution would have been insufficient and the fact that all parties agreed to our idea of capping on prices is a good thing. We believe the levels of these caps are high and they can be modified once the law in the Chamber of Deputies, he also said. According to the document, the profit of energy producers will be overtaxed by 80%. The document, aimed at keeping energy prices in check, will be submitted to the Chamber of Deputies, the decision making body in this case. (EE)


  • Fines for energy suppliers

    Fines for energy suppliers

    Four Romanian natural gas suppliers (Engie, E.ON
    Energie, Restart Energy One and Premier Energy) have been fined for plans to
    increase tariffs while under fixed-price contracts. They are now bound to notify
    their clients who entered fixed-price contracts, that the price of natural gas
    supply will remain unchanged throughout the contractual period.


    The National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) found
    that these companies have breached their contractual obligations. The suppliers
    were fined for having drawn up standard contract offers that failed to specify either
    the contract period, or the terms and conditions for unilaterally cancelling
    contracts.


    The fines amount to some 545,000 euro, and the
    Authority promises to continue monitoring the conduct of all suppliers, and in
    case new breaches of relevant legislation are found, to address them
    accordingly.


    In response, two companies announced they would
    take the matter to court, and argue they had done nothing wrong and that
    international natural gas prices have skyrocketed. They warn that, in case the
    measures intended to mitigate the effects on end consumers are not based on
    fair and just economic principles, this will have swift and substantial
    repercussions on suppliers, and implicitly on their clients, not only in terms
    of prices, but also of the safety of supply ahead of the winter season.



    In this very difficult context, the respective
    companies argue, all stakeholders-authorities and private operators-need to work
    together to identify viable, fair and responsible solutions to overcome this
    crisis.



    With 95% of the bills accounted for by the natural
    gas procurement, storage, transport and distribution costs, suppliers only gain 5% of the invoiced amounts, the operators in question also explained. After
    the gas prices rose spectacularly, Romanian suppliers have raised tariffs
    several times, and these successive price rises and the small profit margin
    reflect in consumers’ bills. For
    example, this summer the average price was 0.12 leu / Kwh, while at present it
    reaches 0.6 leu / Kwh, i.e. 5 times more.


    The authorities are considering a ceiling on
    energy prices, but this can be done through a state-aid scheme that must be
    approved by the European Commission, the line minister Virgil Popescu said. He emphasised
    that, if suppliers are not bound to purchase electricity for the smallest price
    in the market and if they are not monitored, energy bills will increase
    significantly in a matter of months, and it is citizens who will stand to
    suffer. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • Energiepreiserhöhung: Regierung genehmigt Preisdeckelung für Endverbraucher

    Energiepreiserhöhung: Regierung genehmigt Preisdeckelung für Endverbraucher

    In erster Linie soll mit der Preisdeckelung den Endverbrauchern unter die Arme gegriffen werden, denn die neuen Gas- und Stromrechnungen bringen manche Menschen in Existenznöte. Der rumänische Energieminister Virgil Popescu hat in diesem Sinne eine Begrenzung der Aufrechnung für Haushalte bei umgerechnet knapp 14 Eurocents pro Kilowatt genehmigt; doch der kontinuierliche Anstieg der Preise auf dem gesamteuropäischen Markt würde bald eine neue Kompensation erforderlich machen, sagt der Minister:



    Ich habe mit meinen europäischen Amtskollegen diskutiert — sie sind alle sehr besorgt um diese Situation. Es liegt auf der Hand, dass wir eine neues Konzept für den gesamteuropäischen Energiemarkt brauchen — das hei‎ßt, dass auch andere Ma‎ßnahmen notwendig sind. Für eine dauerhafte Deckelung brauchen wir eine primäre Gesetzgebungsbefugnis, etwa um Eilverordnungen zu erlassen. Zurzeit haben wir es geschafft, den Menschen ein Sicherheitsnetz zu bieten. Aus diesem Grund haben wir schon am vergangenen Montag die Verordnung für die Preisdeckelung erlassen, die am 1. November in Kraft tritt. Wir werden im anstehenden Winter die Entwicklungen beobachten — zunächst wollten wir die Endverbraucher unterstützen, nun erarbeiten wir weitere Ma‎ßnahmen, um auch den KMU Beistand zu gewährleisten.“




    Auch die Nationalbank meldete sich zu Wort, Pressesprecher Dan Suciu erachtete, dass die deutlich steigende Inflationsrate in erster Linie auf die erhöhten Energiepreise zurückzuführen sei. Die Nationalbank habe den Schlüsselzins daher auf 1,5% jährlich angehoben, um sämtliche andere Preisentwicklungen etwas zu mä‎ßigen, denn auf den Energiemarkt könne die Zentralbank keinen Einfluss nehmen, so Suciu gegenüber Radio Rumänien:



    Energiepreise können wir nicht beeinflussen. Wir können nur bei den Geldkosten eingreifen, wir werfen einen Anker für erwartete Preiserhöhungen bei anderen Produkten. Das hei‎ßt konkret, dass wir die Geldmenge für anderweitige Ware begrenzen, um überhöhten Preissteigerungen für andere Produkte entgegenzuwirken, denn aus der Erhöhung der Energiepreise wäre das zwangsläufig zu erwarten. Wir versuchen also, mä‎ßigend zu intervenieren. Unter den derzeitigen Umständen ist es allerdings schwierig, sichere Prognosen zu erstellen.“




    Dan Suciu, Pressesprecher der Rumänischen Nationalbank, der noch hinzufügte, dass auch die Prognose der Zentralbank für die Inflation gegen Jahresende durch die Preiserhöhungen auf dem Energiemarkt auf den Kopf gestellt wurde — die ursprünglich prognostizierte Inflation von 5,6% werde deutlich überschritten, so Suciu.




    Die Preiserhöhungen für Gas und Strom bieten auch politische Munition. Die in der Opposition befindlichen Sozialdemokraten brüsten sich mit einer Gesetzesinitiative, mit der die Preisdeckelung für sechs Monate sichergestellt werden soll. Der beim Senat, der Oberkammer des rumänischen Parlaments, eingereichte Gesetzentwurf, soll bis Ende der kommenden Woche von der Abgeordnetenkammer verabschiedet werden, ist sich die PSD sicher. Die USR-Plus, bis Anfang September Juniorpartner der liberalen Regierung, erachtet hingegen, dass den Endverbrauchern vielmehr durch eine Reduzierung der Verbrauchs- und Umsatzsteuer geholfen werden könne — zusätzliche Kompensationen seien nur als Begleitma‎ßnahme gerechtfertigt.

  • Erhöhte Stromrechnungen: Staat will Endverbrauchern unter die Arme greifen

    Erhöhte Stromrechnungen: Staat will Endverbrauchern unter die Arme greifen

    Das rumänische Parlament hat Vertreter der Nationalen Regulierungsbehörde im Energiebereich (ANRE) zu einer Anhörung vor einem Untersuchungsausschuss vorgeladen. Konkret soll in Erfahrung gebracht werden, warum die Liberalisierung des Strom- und Gasmarktes am 1. Januar bzw. 1. Juli 2021 zu einer beispiellosen Erhöhung der Rechnungen für Endverbraucher geführt hat — in manchen Fällen erhielten die Haushalte bis zu doppelt so hohe Strom- und Gasrechnungen wie bis zur Freigabe des Marktes. Eine Erhöhung der Preise habe man zwar in Kauf genommen, allerdings nicht in einer solch galoppierenden Entwicklung, sagen die Vertreter der Regulierungsbehörde, die auch darauf verweisen, dass die EU-Vorschriften staatlichen Behörden streng untersagen, Einfluss auf die Preisbildung zu nehmen. Den Endverbrauchern könnte man dennoch unter die Arme greifen, indem der Staat bestimmte Gebühren, die auf der Rechnung stehen, übernehmen würde, so etwa die sogenannten grünen Zertifikate für Öko-Strom-Erzeugung und die Abgabe für Kogenerierung, auch Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung genannt. Dadurch würden die Energierechnungen für Endverbraucher um bis zu 15% niedriger anfallen, so die Vertreter der Regulierungsbehörde.



    Ein Tropfen auf den hei‎ßen Stein, sagen Kritiker dazu, au‎ßerdem könne ein entsprechender Regierungsbeschluss nur auf sechs Monate beschränkt werden, um die weiteren Entwicklungen auf dem Energiemarkt unter Beobachtung zu halten. Derzeit bezahlen alle Energieverbraucher in Rumänien nebst dem eigentlichen Energiepreis die Gebühr für erneuerbare Energieerzeugung und die Abgabe für effiziente Kogenerierung. Der parlamentarische Ausschuss forderte die Vertreter der Regulierungsbehörde auf, demnächst weitere Ma‎ßnahmen zu erarbeiten, um den Endverbrauchern die Bezahlung der horrenden Preise zu erleichtern.



    Auch der rumänische Energieminister Virgil Popescu musste vor wenigen Tagen Rechenschaft vor der Abgeordnetenkammer des Parlaments ablegen. Der Minister sagte, dass nicht Rumänien allein von der Preiserhöhung für Gas und Strom betroffen sei, weltweit stiegen die Energiepreise und die Europäische Kommission werde demnächst eine Reihe von Empfehlungen formulieren, wie die einzelnen Mitgliedsstaaten den Verbrauchern helfen können, ohne den freien Wettbewerb auf dem Markt einzuschränken. Zuvor war der Minister auch dem parlamentarischen Ausschuss Rede und Antwort gestanden. Dabei hatte er versichert, dass die Regierung eine Eilverordnung plane, mit der die Stromrechnung für über 60% der Endverbraucher durch staatliche Kompensationen teilweise entlastet werden soll. Auch für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU) sollen ab dem 18. November staatliche Hilfen für die Begleichung der Stromrechnung flie‎ßen.



    Die staatliche Energie-Regulierungsbehörde (ANRE) empfiehlt indessen den Endverbrauchern, neue, auf den persönlichen Verbrauch abgestimmte Verträge mit dem Energielieferanten ihrer Wahl abzuschlie‎ßen, denn die meisten Haushalte haben immer noch allgemeine Lieferverträge, und die nicht auf den Kunden zugeschnittenen Lieferpreise werden ab nächstem Jahr höchstwahrscheinlich weiter steigen. Aktuell verfügen etwa 57% der Kunden in Rumänien über individuell ausgehandelte Stromlieferungsverträge. Damit belegt Rumänien den ersten Platz in der EU hinsichtlich der Geschwindigkeit des Übergangs vom regulierten zum freien Energiemarkt.

  • Energy prices cause growing concern

    Energy prices cause growing concern

    A committee has been set up in the Parliament of Romania to investigate the substantial increase in the price of natural gas and electricity. The committee found that these increases are in line with European trends.



    Energy prices in the continental market have reached record-high levels, fuelled by the costs of green certificates and the natural gas prices. Another problem for the European energy market is the uncertainty around gas imports from Russia, given that European storage facilities were only 70% full.



    The European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans said the unprecedented electricity prices in member states prove that the Union must give up fossil fuels and step up the transition to green energy. He also noted that, while fossil fuel prices rose substantially, the costs of renewable energy remain low and stable.



    EU member states like Italy, Spain and Greece responded to the rise in conventional energy prices and have already announced aid measures to help people pay their bills. In Bucharest as well, the government is planning to help households cover their electricity and natural gas bills.



    Under a draft emergency order first discussed on Wednesday, the government would subsidise electricity prices by 3.6 eurocents per KWh and natural gas bills by 25%. Beneficiaries will include households that use between 30 and 200 KW of electricity per month and between 100 and 1,200 cubic metres of natural gas per year. The average price used by the government in its plans is 16 eurocents per KW, and bills will be around 3.6 euro smaller per 100 KW.



    The government is also looking at options to introduce a natural gas price ceiling. PM Florin Cîţu said this should not affect investments in the economy, and that the measure requires talks with the Competition Council and the European Commission. According to the energy minister Virgil Popescu, such a ceiling would discourage foreign investments in Romanias electricity and natural gas extraction markets, because companies would be forced to sell for less than the market price.



    The Social Democratic Party in opposition announced that in the forthcoming period they will table a bill introducing a ceiling on electricity and natural gas prices for household consumers, as a stop-gap solution. The Social Democrats vice-president Mihai Tudose criticised the right-of-centre government for deregulating the energy market at the worst possible time, when the domestic output is considerably below its potential. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • Energiemarkt: Liberalisierung bringt Teuerungswelle

    Energiemarkt: Liberalisierung bringt Teuerungswelle

    Laut Angaben des staatlichen Energieförderungsunternehmens Transelectrica sei der erhöhte durchschnittliche Energieverbrauch von zusätzlich rund 1000 MW pro Tag in den letzten Wochen aus Importen gedeckt worden. Die wichtigsten Energieerzeuger sind nach wie vor Wasserkraftwerke, gefolgt von Kohlekraftwerken, dem AKW in Cernavodă und weiteren Kraftwerken mit fossilen Brennstoffen. Photovoltaik, Windenergie und Biomasse stellen nur einen Bruchteil der rumänischen Energieproduktion dar. Rumänien verfügt nur über geringe Kapazitäten für die Erzeugung von kostengünstigem Strom, in den letzten sechs Jahren wurden keine Investitionen in neue, moderne und umweltschonende Energiequellen getätigt.



    Kurzfristig wird sich das auch nicht ändern, die Rumänen sind daher gut beraten, auf den Energieverbrauch zu achten, um keine überteuerten Stromrechnungen bezahlen zu müssen. Die Energiepreise sind in ganz Europa in die Höhe geschnellt, denn die allmähliche Wiederankurbelung der Volkswirtschaften hat auch den Energiebedarf erhöht. In Rumänien wurde darüber hinaus der Markt für Gas und elektrischen Strom am 1. Juli komplett liberalisiert — für Endverbraucher hei‎ßt das nun höhere Ausgaben — und nicht allein für die Stromrechnung. Dem Nationalen Statistikinstitut (INS) zufolge betrug die Inflationsrate im Juli 5%, Notenbankchef Mugur Isărescu geht in seiner Prognose von 5,6% bis Jahresende aus.



    Mit den angestiegenen Energiepreisen geht auch eine Teuerungswelle einher. Elektrizität kostet nun um 25% mehr, für Gas bezahlt man auch um 20% mehr als vor der Liberalisierung, Autofahrer müssen an der Tanksäule nun auch um 13% mehr für Treibstoff hinblättern. Das hat auch die Preise der sogenannten Non-Food-Produkte um 8% verteuert, in den kommenden Wochen ist eine generelle Erhöhung der Preise für sämtliche Handelswaren und Dienstleistungen zu erwarten.



    Der liberale Ministerpräsident Florin Cîțu sieht allerdings keinen Grund zur Besorgnis — die Verteuerung sei nur eine temporäre Erscheinung und z.T. auch auf die gestiegenen Einkommen der Bevölkerung zurückzuführen. Die sozialdemokratische Opposition ist da ganz gegensätzlicher Meinung: Die rücksichtslose“ Liberalisierung des Energiemarktes habe zum explosionsartigen“ Anstieg der Preise geführt, was besonders sozial schwache Endverbraucher wie Rentner, Geringverdiener und kinderreiche Familien belastet. Der Sozialdemokratischen Partei (PSD) zufolge, die sich auf das Nationale Statistikinstitut beruft, konfrontieren sich 41% der Haushalte in städtischen Ballungsräumen und 36% der Haushalte im ländlichen Bereich mit Zahlungsrückständen bei der Begleichung der üblich anfallenden Rechnungen. Die PSD fordert daher die Erarbeitung und Verabschiedung eines Gesetzes zum Schutz der sozial gefährdeten Endverbraucher.

  • Romanian – US cooperation in the field of energy

    Romanian – US cooperation in the field of energy

    Romania has huge economic potential, and it is a very good place for investors, not only from the US, but from around the world, the US Ambassador to Romania Adrian Zuckerman said early this month, voicing hopes that the economic partnership between the 2 countries would catch up with and even outperform the military one.



    One of the key areas where Washington and Bucharest work together is the field of energy. In order to meet its energy security and decarbonisation goals, Romania intends to upgrade one of the reactors of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant and build another 2.



    The project is estimated to cost 8 billion US dollars, and the US Export-Import Bank will provide up to 7 billion USD for its funding. Once completed, the project will enable the Nuclear Power Plant in Cernavodă, south-eastern Romania, to cover around 40% of the countrys electricity needs. This is double the rate covered at present, says Cosmin Ghiţă, general manager of Nuclearelectrica:



    Cosmin Ghiţă: “With Units 3 and 4, this means doubling the current nuclear power capacity, and this is only one of the benefits. In Romania, the nuclear industry provides around 11,000 jobs. Once these projects are started, the number of jobs could reach over 20,000. As for the benefits of revamping Unit 1, these are evident: operating this facility for another 30 years, at less than half the cost of a new reactor.



    The agreement between Romania and the US on cooperation in the Cernavoda nuclear power projects was signed in Bucharest on Wednesday by the Romanian economy minister Virgil Popescu and the US ambassador, in the presence of the interim PM Nicolae Ciucă.



    The terms of the documents had been agreed on in early October, during the economy ministers visit to the US, when the memorandum of agreement with Exim Bank was also signed.



    This week, the USA Exim Bank president Kimberly Reed went to Cernavodă, and in a subsequent meeting with minister Virgil Popescu, he emphasised that the institution is ready to provide funding to Bucharest for other projects as well. The US might also fund the development of natural gas in the Black Sea.



    Romgaz is currently negotiating the acquisition of the US company Exxons stake in the Neptun Deep offshore project, and once investments in the Black Sea are restarted, Romania may become Europes largest natural gas and energy producer.



    Ambassador Adrian Zuckerman, attending the meeting, emphasised the importance of Romania securing its energy independence and added that the visit made by the Exim Bank president highlights the US commitment to Romania. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • Romanian foreign minister on US visit

    Romanian foreign minister on US visit

    The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu had political consultations in Washington with the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on which occasion he welcomed the United States intention to strengthen its military presence in Romania.



    In turn, the American official appreciated the several decade-long partnership between the 2 states, recently illustrated by the intergovernmental agreement signed on October 9th for revamping and building a new reactor for the Cernavodă nuclear power plant in south-eastern Romania.



    The 2 officials discussed ways to strengthen relations in the field of defence, to enhance energy security in Europe by means of Black Sea gas development, as well as the Three Seas Initiatives potential to generate growth. They also tackled a stronger US involvement, including financial involvement, in projects targeting the interconnection of the north and south of the region, with both economic benefits and with a strategic impact on military mobility.



    The Romanian diplomacy chief explained for Radio Romania that the projects will be implemented through the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund:



    Bogdan Aurescu: “Sometime, most likely by the end of the year, the Investment Fund will make public the projects it has selected in the first series to be financed by the Fund. We have also discussed the importance of launching as soon as possible the development of the energy resources on the Black Sea continental shelf, with American involvement, because these are extremely necessary for ensuring the energy independence of Romania, the Republic of Moldova, as well as other states in the region.



    On the other hand, Bucharest and Washington will have a joint task force working for Romanias inclusion in the Visa Waiver programme. Moreover, the European Parliament is to pass a resolution asking the European Commission to take measures with respect to the fact that Romanians need a visa to reach the US.



    Bogdan Aurescu: “Talks are held on a regular basis, because the situation is monitored and there is a dialogue between the US and the EU as regards mobility, including the Visa Waiver. During my discussion here I emphasized the importance that Romanian citizens attach to this programme and to Romania being included in the Visa Waiver, the symbolic importance and the sensitivity on the part of the Romanian people with respect to this goal. Secretary Pompeo has understood very well the goals and arguments we have presented, which is why we have agreed to set up this task force, to see the steps that need to be taken in the forthcoming period so that we may accomplish this goal.



    Bogdan Aurescu also said that preparations are ongoing for the 7th session of the bilateral strategic dialogue, scheduled to take place in Washington in the first half of next year. (translated by: A. M. Popescu)

  • September 17, 2020 UPDATE

    September 17, 2020 UPDATE

    Covid-19 1,679 new cases of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 were reported in Romania, following tests performed at national level, the Strategic Communication Group announced on Thursday. The total number of infections has thus reached 108,690. Another 27 coronavirus-related deaths were also reported, taking the death toll so far to 4,312. 460 patients are in intensive care, the Group has also reported. In Romania, 11,540 people confirmed with the new coronavirus are in isolation at home, and 5,807 are in institutional isolation. Also, 38,167 people are in quarantine at home, and 7 in institutionalized quarantine. Of the Romanians living abroad, 6,599 have so far tested positive for COVID-19, and the number of deaths stays at 126.



    Pandemic 30 million infections and 945,000 deaths have been reported worldwide, according to worldometers.info. The United States is the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, with more than 6,800,000 infections and more than 200,000 deaths. In the United Kingdom, the European country with the highest number of deaths, over 41,000, the health system can no longer cope with the demand for tests, and the government has announced that it will rationalize them for the time being. Spain has exceeded 600,000 cases and 30,000 deaths. As of Friday, Israel becomes the first country in the world to apply the lockdown measure for the second time, due to the very large number of new cases of COVID-19.



    Elections. In Romania, the electoral campaign for the local elections due on September 27 continues, in conditions meant to prevent infections with the new coronavirus. According to the Ministry of Interior, wearing a protective mask is mandatory, and for all persons participating in electoral events or meetings, observational triage and mandatory hand disinfection will be performed. The rules of access and personal protection will be displayed in visible places. A physical distance of at least one meter between participants will be ensured, including for actions carried out on the street or from door to door. A maximum of 50 people will attend the events and meetings held indoors, and the duration will be limited to a maximum of two hours. In the case of events and meetings held outdoors, the organizers must ensure that the number of participants is limited to a maximum of one hundred. 41 county council presidents, about 3,200 mayors, over 1,300 county councillors and 40,000 local councillors will be elected. Election had been scheduled for June, but was postponed due to the pandemic, and local elected officials have extended their terms by half a year.



    Constructions Construction works in Romania saw a 12.2% increase in July 2020 compared to July 2019, which is the biggest increase for this industry in the EU, the European Statistics Office (Eurostat) announced on Thursday. July is the 3rd consecutive month with Romania as an EU leader in terms of the growth of the constructions industry. In the Eurozone, this sector reported a 3.8% year-on-year decline this July, whereas in the EU the drop rate was 3.9%. According to Eurostat, the only EU member states where the constructions industry grew in July were Romania and Finland (2.5%), with the most dramatic falls reported in Hungary (-21%), Slovakia (-15.4%) and Poland (-11%).



    Missiles The first Patriot missile air defence system was received today by the Romanian Army, in a ceremony held in Capul Midia (south-east), in the presence of PM Ludovic Orban, the defence minister Nicolae Ciucă, and officials of the American producer. The main components of the Patriot system arrived in Romania last month. Two years ago, Romania signed an agreement on the purchase of 7 Patriot batteries for 3.9 billion USD, from 2 American companies. Four of them will be used by the Romanian Air Forces, and the other 3 by the Land Forces.



    Natural gas With the start of works on the submarine pipeline of the Midia Natural Gas Development Project (MGD), Romania has taken a major step in making sure it will probably be the first country to extract natural gas from the Black Sea, the minister of economy, energy and business environment Virgil Popescu said on Thursday. He attended the official start of works on the pipeline, an event in which PM Ludovic Orban and the US Ambassador Adrian Zuckerman also took part. Popescu pointed out that for the Romanian Government, developing the Black Sea natural gas has been and will remain a priority. “Today we see an important step taken in this project, an American investment of over 500 million euros, he added. MGD is the first project tapping Romanias offshore gas reserves in the Black Sea to be launched since 1989. In a first stage, it will be able to cover 10% of Romanias gas needs.

    Tennis The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, number 2 in the world, plays
    on Friday against Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine (29 WTA) in the 8th-finals
    of the WTA tournament in Rome. Another Romanian, Irina Begu (77 WTA) was
    kicked out of the competition on Thursday by Britain’s Johanna Konta (13 WTA). Also on Thursday, in the doubles, Romanians
    Simona Halep and Monica Niculescu lost the 8th-finals to the
    Japanese Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara. Raluca Olaru (Romania) and
    Anna-Lena Friedsam (Germany), are playing on Friday against Magda Linette (Poland)
    andBernarda Pera (USA), in the quarter-finals of the Premier 5
    tournament in Rome. (translated by: A.M. Popescu, M. Ignatescu)

  • The liberalisation of the gas market

    The liberalisation of the gas market

    Beginning
    on 1st July, the domestic gas market in Romania has been completely
    liberalised, something that should normally lead to an increase in competition
    and a decrease in prices. Household users are yet to feel these benefits, given
    that the big suppliers haven’t changed their offers, notes the Romanian news
    agency Agerpres in its analysis of this market. Theoretically, Romanian clients
    have had the possibility to change their gas supplier ever since 2007 but very
    few have done so because there has been a minimum regulated price established
    by the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority. This system no longer exists as of
    1st July, and household users can now survey the market and choose
    the best offer.




    Agerpres
    warns, however, that the liberalisation comes at a time when the energy supply
    market is in effect divided among very few suppliers, with two companies supplying
    90% of household users. These companies have sent their users offers that
    contained the same price as before and, unless they receive an answer, the
    offers in question apply automatically. The authorities are saying, however,
    that tariffs for the population should decrease, because the gas intended for
    delivery in the second part of the year is traded at lower prices on the stock
    exchange markets.




    A week
    ago, the Romanian energy minister Virgil Popescu said the population should pay
    10-15% less after liberalisation. He also said he was slightly disappointed with
    the response from suppliers, especially the big companies who hold a very big
    share of the market, who, he says, have tried to take advantage of the fact
    that Romanians are averse to change and perhaps not very well-informed. The minister
    warns that if the big suppliers do not lower their prices, the competition law
    in force allows the government to intervene on the market for a period of six
    months.




    The
    representatives of the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority also admit that it
    will take some time for users to feel the effects of the liberalisation on
    their budgets. The liberalisation will have positive effects for household
    users, even if not exactly starting tomorrow, on this market dominated by a
    small circle of providers, said Zoltan Nagy-Bege, the vice-president of this regulatory
    body. It remains to be seen what happens next considering that more than a half
    of people in Romania haven’t even heard about the liberalisation of the gas
    market, according to an opinion poll published recently.




    Moreover,
    a gas supplier from the domestic market has poured cold water on the
    authorities’ enthusiasm, saying there aren’t big amounts of gas available on
    the market at reasonable prices and for the long term for the population’s gas
    bills to decrease as of 1st July. This statement was described by
    the energy minister Virgil Popescu as somewhat arrogant. Certain providers are
    abusing their dominant position and refuse to lower their prices for end
    consumers although they are buying gas from producers at much lower prices, the
    minister explained.




    The
    electricity market will also be fully liberalised in Romania starting next
    year. (CM)

  • Reaktionen auf den Notzustand

    Reaktionen auf den Notzustand

    Präsident Klaus Iohannis hat am Montag den Notzustand ausgerufen. Kurz darauf sagte der Leiter des Büros des Premierministers, Ionel Danca, dass die Ma‎ßnahme erforderlich ist, um die besten Entscheidungen, im Umgang mit der Coronavirus-Krise zu treffen. Der rumänische Beamte wies darauf hin, dass die Rechte und Freiheiten der Bürger so wenig wie möglich beeinträchtigt werden und dass die Regierung somit in der Lage sein wird, rasch Ma‎ßnahmen zu ergreifen, um die notwendige Versorgung mit sanitären und medizinischen Geräten sicherzustellen. Über den Erlass soll am Donnerstag im Parlament abgestimmt werden.



    Der Vorsitzende der Abgeordnetenkammer und Interims-Vorsitzende der Sozialdemokraten, Marcel Ciolacu, hat die liberale Regierung aufgefordert, Ma‎ßnahmen zu ergreifen, um Unternehmen, die in Folge der Coronavirus-Epidemie Verluste erleiden, als auch die Bevölkerung finanziell zu unterstützen. Dabei zählte Ciolacu die Aussetzung der Zahlung von Bankkrediten sowie die Begrenzung der Preise für Versorgungsunternehmen, Gas, Energie, Telefon-, Fernseh- und Internetdienste über einen Zeitraum von drei bis sechs Monaten auf. Die Sozialdemokratische Partei will, dass die Regierung die Kurzarbeit über einen bestimmten Zeitraum in Höhe von bis zu 75 % bezahlt, die Mehrwertsteuerkosten zurückerstattet und alle ausstehenden Leistungen für Krankenurlaub bezahlt werden.



    Die Entscheidung des Präsidenten, den Notstand auszurufen, ist gut, hat aber Klärungsbedarf, denn es hat Panik unter den Menschen verursacht, die nicht wissen was sie erwartet, sagte der Vorsitzende von PLUS-Partei, der Europaabgeordnete Dacian Ciolos. Er wies auf die Ma‎ßnahmen der Europäischen Kommission, einschlie‎ßlich der Investitionsinitiative aus Antwort auf die COVID-19-Krise hin. Die Initiative setzt ungenutzte Kohäsionsfonds ein, und Rumänien kann so von den über 3 Milliarden Euro profitieren, die dem Land zur Verfügung gestellt werden, so Dacian Ciolos weiter.



    Politische Beobachter gehen davon aus, dass in nächster Zeit weitere solche Empfehlungen und Forderungen an die Orban-Regierung gestellt werden. Das Kabinett von Ludovic Orban wurde am Samstag vereidigt, nachdem es von Senatoren und Abgeordneten von allen Seiten des politischen Spektrums gewählt wurde, obwohl es nur 20 % der Sitze im Parlament innehat, und ist ihnen somit verpflichtet.



  • Natural gas market to be deregulated

    Natural gas market to be deregulated

    The Romanian energy sector underwent dramatic changes in 2019, according to data made public by the National Statistics Institute. In the first 8 months of the year, the country turned from an energy exporter into a net importer, and the natural gas and electricity output nosedived. Specifically, electricity imports went up 72.8%, gas imports rose by 85.7%, while electricity exports fell by 37.5%. The natural gas output saw a 2.4% decline and the electricity output dropped 3.4%.



    These negative changes in the energy sector are the effects of the controversial Government Order no. 114/2018, analysts say, explaining that distortions in the Romanian market pushed the natural gas price above the regional average, both for industrial consumers and for households. Here is the former president of the National Energy Regulatory Authority Niculae Havrilet, currently a secretary of state with the Energy Ministry:



    Niculae Havrilet: “Even for households, the regional average price is lower than in Romania, namely 12 euros per MW, 59-60 lei, which is below the 68 lei per MW, the gas price set for households under Order 114.



    The roughly 14 euro cap on natural gas prices for households, which was below the market price at the time, led to an increase of prices in the open market, pushing the prices charged to industrial consumers up to almost double the regional average. The increase rippled across the national economy throughout 2019, with prices for all products and services going up.



    Two months into its term in office, the Liberal Cabinet repealed in December the provisions in Order 114 concerning energy companies and caps on the prices charged by natural gas and electricity producers. The Government and the National Energy Regulatory Authority also decided that as of July 1 this year the state will fully deregulate the natural gas market.



    Unlike electricity prices, which will be liberalised next year, the decision to immediately deregulate prices in the natural gas sector was prompted by the favourable global context, in which Romania may bring its gas prices down to match international levels.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • Gas: mercato liberalizzato in Romania dal 1 luglio

    Gas: mercato liberalizzato in Romania dal 1 luglio

    Nel 2019, il settore energetico ha subito cambiamenti drammatici in Romania, come rileva l’Istituto Nazionale di Statistica: il Paese è diventato importatore netto di energia nei primi otto mesi dell’anno, nelle condizioni in cui fino allora era stato un esportatore, e la produzione di gas ed energia elettrica è diminuita notevolmente nello stesso periodo.

    Concretamente, si tratta di una crescita del 72,8% delle importazioni di energia elettrica, dell’85,7% di quelle del gas, parallelamente alla diminuzione delle esportazioni di energia elettrica del 37,5%. Inoltre, la produzione di gas è calata del 2,4%, e quella di energia elettrica del 3,4%.

    Questi cambiamenti negativi nel setore energetico sono gli effetti della controversa Ordinanza d’urgenza 114/2018, spiegano gli osservatori del mercato energetico, precisando che le distorsioni hanno reso i costi del gas in Romania più alto rispetto a quelli della regione, sia per l’industria che per i consumatori casalinghi.

    Persino per il consumatore casalingo, il prezzo regionale del gas è più basso rispetto alla Romania, con 12 euro/ MW, poco meno di 60 lei, quindi meno dei 68 lei – la tariffa amministrativa imposta dall’Ordinanza 114 al consumatore casalingo, ha spiegato l’ex presidente dell’Ente regolatore nell’energia (ANRE), Niculae Havrileţ, attualmente segretario di stato al Ministero dell’Energia.

    Il massimale di 68 lei al megawatt (circa 14 euro) per il consumatore casalingo, cioè inferiore al prezzo del mercato in quel momento, ha portato un’impennata dei costi sul mercato libero. Praticamente, il prezzo del gas nell’industria romena è arrivato al doppio rispetto a quello regionale: circa 120 lei (quasi 25 euro) rispetto ai 60 lei allo hub dell’Austria, ad esempio. Gli effetti a catena si sono sentiti per tutto l’anno 2019: l’aumento delle tariffe per il gas si è rispecchiato nelle impennate viste da qualsiasi prodotto o servizio nell’intera economia.

    A due mesi dall’insediamento, il Governo liberale di Bucarest ha abrogato a dicembre i provvedimenti della contestata Ordinanza 114 adottata dall’ex governo socialdemocratico, che interessano le compagnie energetiche e il massimale del prezzo di produzione per gas e fornitura di energia elettrica. Il Governo e l’Ente regolatore nell’energia hanno inoltre deciso che, dal 1 luglio 2020, lo Stato romeno si ritirerà completamente dal controllo del mercato del gas.

    A differenza del mercato dell’energia elettrica, la cui liberalizzazione è prevista fra un anno, per il gas è stata scelta la variante di una liberalizzazione velocissima, una decisione motivata dalle circostanze favorevoli. La nuova liberalizzazione, tramite cui la Romania allineerà i costi del gas a quelli internazionali, renderà possibile il calo delle tariffe.

  • October 11, 2019

    October 11, 2019

    CONSULTATIONS In Bucharest, President Klaus Iohannis has a first round of consultations with the parliamentary parties today, after Mrs Dancilas Social Democratic Cabinet was dismissed through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. The first to talk to the President were the Liberals. After the discussions, the Liberal leader Ludovic Orban said the National Liberal Party would prefer early elections, but that they are prepared to take over power. Save Romania Union, the next party invited to the Presidency, said they wanted early elections, which according to the party would put an end to the political crisis. The head of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians, Kelemen Hunor, nominated a PM from his own party, and offered the alternatives of an independent prime minister from the financial sector or of a government headed by the Liberal leader. The head of the Peoples Movement Party Eugen Tomac voiced lack of confidence in the early election scenario and urged the President to consider the nomination of a prime minister from PMP. The Social Democrats, scheduled to be the last to see Iohannis today, announced they did not accept the invitation. The President said he wanted a Cabinet with a clearly defined mission, to ensure responsible and efficient governing until the forthcoming parliamentary elections, irrespective of their date.




    ELECTION In Romania, the campaign for Novembers presidential election officially starts on Saturday, with 14 candidates in the race, including the incumbent President Klaus Iohannis, backed by the Liberals in opposition, the incumbent PM Viorica Dăncilă, backed by the Social Democratic Party, Dan Barna, backed by the USR-PLUS Alliance, Theodor Paleologu (Peoples Movement Party), Mircea Diaconu, supported by ALDE and Pro Romania, and Kelemen Hunor from the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania. Cătălin Ivan, Ninel Peia, Sebastian-Constantin Popescu, John-Ion Banu, Ramona-Ioana Bruynseels and Viorel Cataramă represent political parties from outside Parliament, whereas Bogdan Stanoevici and Alexandru Cumpănaşu run as unaffiliated candidates. The first round of the presidential election is due on November 10th, and the second on the 24th. Under a government order, the Romanians living abroad will be able to vote between November 8th and 10th in the first round, and again for 3 days, November 22nd to 24th, in the second round.




    NATURAL GAS The ‘Transgaz’ SA National Gas Transport Company and Russias ‘Gazprom Export’ have agreed to extend their natural gas transport contract by another 3 months, until December 31. According to Transgaz, this extension ensures the continuity of natural gas transport from Russia to Turkey, Greece and other south-east European countries. Transgaz SA is the technical operator of the National Transport System for natural gas, and ensures the efficient, transparent, safe, fair and competitive implementation of the national strategy regarding the domestic and international natural gas transport, as well as research and design in the natural gas sector.




    NOBEL Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, “for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea. Ethiopia and Eritrea, involved in a war over disputed border territory between 1998 and 2000, resumed official relations in July 2018, after years of hostility. On Thursday, the 2018 Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk, after the postponement triggered by the sex assault scandal at the Swedish Academy, and the 2019 Prize went to Austrian Peter Handke. The last Nobel Prize this year is the one for economics, to be awarded on Monday.




    FOOTBALL Romanias youth national team defeated Ukraine, 3-0 at home on Thursday night, in a match in Group 8 of the Euro 2021 qualifiers. On Monday the Romanians are to take on Northern Ireland, also on home turf. Last month, Romania lost its first qualifier game, 1-2 away from home against Denmark. The group also includes Finland and Malta. In June, Romanias Under 21 team qualified for the first time into the semi-finals of the continental tournament in Italy and San Marino, securing their tickets for next years Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, the national team plays on Saturday against the Faroe Islands away from home, and on Tuesday against Norway at home, in Group F of next years European Championship. The group draw for Euro 2020 takes place in Bucharest on November 30. The Romanian capital city will also host 4 matches in the final tournament, 3 in the group stage and one in the round of 16.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)