COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Country Factsheet Romania Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK State of the Energy Union
Date: 2015-11-18
Institutions: European Commission, Secretariat-General
Subjects: Romania, competitiveness, economic and social cohesion, electrical energy, energy policy, gas, innovation, reduction of gas emissions, regional cooperation, single market

EN 

   EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 18.11.2015  SWD(2015) 236 final   COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Country Factsheet Romania Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK State of the Energy Union  {COM(2015) 572} {SWD(2015) 208 à 209} {SWD(2015) 217 à 235} {SWD(2015) 237 à 243}  
 
 
Towards an Energy Union  
         Romania 

Macroeconomic relevance of energy 

IMPORTANCE OF THE ENERGY SECTOR 

The  value  added  of  the  energy  sector  in  Romania  reached  almost  5%  in  total  value  added  of  the 
economy  in  2012,  which  represents  a  much  higher  importance  of  the  sector  than  in  the  EU  as  a 
whole.  This  share  has  shown  a  marked  increase  in  Romania  from  a  level  of  2.4%  in  2005.  The 
importance  of  the  energy  sector  is  also  much  higher  in  Romania  in  terms  of  employment  (in 
particular in the coal sector), with a share of 1.4%. 

Source: EUROSTAT – National Accounts 

According to EurObserv'ER, in 2013, the share 
indirect  renewable  energy 
of  direct  and 
related  employment  in  total  employment  of 
the economy in Romania was at about 0.22%, 
below the EU average of 0.53%. 

Source:  European  Commission,  based  on  EurObserv'ER  and 
EUROSTAT 

TRADE BALANCE OF ENERGY PRODUCTS 

The energy trade balance of Romania showed a deficit of 1.4% of GDP in 2014, which is lower than 
the EU average. The main  driver of the deficit is oil with gas and coal being close to balance. The 
overall energy trade deficit has decreased since 2006 from a level of 3.6% of GDP. At the same time 
the  current  account  deficit  recorded  a  marked  improvement  in  the  same  period  as  a  result  of  a 
macroeconomic adjustment process. 

01234520052012ROEU27Value added of energy sector% of grossvalue added (total economy)0.00.40.81.21.620052011ROEU27Employment in energy sector% of total employment 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towards an Energy Union - Romania 

Source: EUROSTAT 
Note: Current account balance for EU28 from European Commission (AMECO) 

1. Energy Security, solidarity and trust 

ENERGY MIX 

The energy mix of Romania is broadly similar with the one of the EU-28, with the notable difference 
of higher use of gases and lower share of petroleum and products and nuclear. Compared to 1995, 
the share of petroleum and products and gases in gross inland energy consumption decreased (by 3 
and 10 percentage points respectively), while the share of renewable energy and nuclear increased 
(by  9  and  8  percentage  points  respectively).  The  Romanian  electricity  generation  mix  is  rather 
balanced and focusses on technology neutrality and the use of indigenous resources, important for 
ensuring the energy security of Romania, which is facing geostrategic threats and vulnerabilities. 

Gross inland energy consumption in 2013  

Source: European Commission, based on EUROSTAT  

IMPORT DEPENDENCY 

Import dependency is rather low in Romania, compared to most other EU Member States, notably 
due to its gas and coal reserves. Gas imports are particularly low, due in particular to the high own 
gas production, but come mostly from Russia1. According to Romanian national data, consumption 
of imported gas represented 7.47% of total gas consumption in 2014 (including imported gas held in 

1  

Top non-EU gas suppliers table is based on EUROSTAT data. The share of imports from non-EU countries is calculated 
as the ratio between volumes of imports from that specific non-EU supplier and total imports  (from EU and non-EU 
countries). 

2 

-12-10-8-6-4-202ROEU28% of GDPCoalOilElectricityGasC. A. BalanceTrade balance of energy product and currentaccount balance, 2006 -12-10-8-6-4-202ROEU28% of GDPCoalOilElectricityGasC. A. BalanceTrade balance of energy product and currentaccount balance, 2014  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                 
Towards an Energy Union - Romania 

local  underground  storage).  Putting  all  these  factors  together,  the  supplier  concentration  index  is 
therefore low for Romania. This translates into a relatively limited energy trade deficit, expressed in 
percentage  of  GDP.  Due  to  decline  of  national  oil  production,  Romania  records  an  import 
dependency of 47% (2013) on total consumption of crude oil and petroleum products. 

Source: European Commission, based on EUROSTAT  

2. A fully-integrated internal energy market 

INTERCONNECTIONS 

The electricity interconnection capacity was of 7% in 2014 for 
Romania. To reach the 10% for 2020 and 15% in 2030 targets, 
new  Projects  of  Common  Interest  (PCIs)  will  have  to  be 
implemented.  One  PCI  refers  to  the  interconnection  with 
Serbia  and  6  others  focus  on  the  upgrade  of  the  internal 
electricity  system.  Other  projects  focused  on  enhancing 
interconnector  capacity  with  Bulgaria  and  the  Republic  of 
Moldova.  Further  electricity  interconnection  is  needed  to 
exploit the high generation capacity. 
Regarding  gas,  the  country  has  an  important  location  as  the 
link  between  South  Eastern  and  Central  Europe.  The 
completion  of  gas  interconnections  with  the  neighbouring 
countries and reverse flow projects, including physically linking 
the  Romanian  gas  system  with  the  transit  pipelines,  are 
necessary to strengthen security of supply in the region, while 
considering  the  potential  of  various  sources,  including  those 
from  the  Black  Sea.  Romania  is  also  exploring  alternative 
options for diversifying natural gas resources through the AGRI 
LNG project.2  

Source: European Commission based on 
ENTSO-E scenario outlook and adequacy 
forecast 2014 
Note:  Reference  to  2030  target  is  based 
on  October  2014  European  Council 
conclusions  stating  that  "the  Commission 
will also report regularly to the European 
Council with the objective of arriving at a 
15% target by 2030" 

2  

AGRI  is  important  from  the  perspective  of  strengthening  regional  cooperation,  contributing  to  the  diversification  of 
natural gas supply routes and sources for the EU. It would be the first project to transport LNG in the Black Sea area, 
which is of high priority for the energy security of the region. 

3 

Top non-EU gas suppliers in 2013 (% in total imports)RomaniaEuropean Union country[%]country[%]Russia91.7Russia39.0Norway29.5Algeria9.7Qatar6.728%19%38%47%30%12%52%53%82%87%57%65%200520132005201320052013All fuelsPetroleum andproductsNatural gasROEU28Import dependency 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                 
Towards an Energy Union - Romania 

ELECTRICITY AND GAS MARKETS 

Market concentration index for power generation (left) 
and gas supply (right) (2013) (Herfindahl index – 10000 
means monopoly) 

Sources:ESTAT  and  European  Commission  Calculations;  switching 
rates in 2013 refer to households. 

Sources: European Commission based on ESTAT, CEER and Platts 
Power Vision 

Concentration on power generation markets is low. Due to changes in legislation, transactions performed 
on  the  centralised  competitive  electricity  wholesale  markets  significantly  increased.  The  gas  market  is 
more concentrated, as the sum of market shares of the three  main suppliers in the wholesale market is 
78.4%.  Liquidity  in  the  gas  markets  is  very  low  as  market  participants  are  not  incentivised  to  trade.  A 
temporary gas release programme was introduced with the aim of increasing liquidity, obliging producers 
and traders/suppliers to trade minimum quantities (35%/30%) on the two trading platforms operated by 
OPCOM and the Romanian Commodities Exchange. However, the programme has shown limited effect so 
far,  as  a  majority  of  trading  still  occurs  on  a  bilateral  basis.  Wholesale  electricity  prices  are  near  EU 
average.  

In particular because of regulated prices, domestic retail prices for electricity and gas are much below the 
EU  average,  with  the  price  of  gas  (largely  covered  by  domestic  supply)  being  the  lowest  among  EU 
Member States. 3 On the electricity market, liberalisation was finalised for non-household consumers as of 
1 January 2014. The electricity market will be fully liberalised for household consumers by 2017.  On the 
gas market, liberalisation was finalised for non-household consumers (except for the quantities of natural 
gas used to produce heat for household consumption) as of 1 January 2015. According to a new roadmap 
adopted  in  June  2015,  the  gas  market  will  be  fully  liberalised  for  household  consumers  by  2021  at  the 
latest. 

Due to the negative or slim margins allowed by price regulation, suppliers are discouraged from making 
offers  outside  their  supply  areas,  therefore  consumer  choice  is  in  reality  often  very  limited,  and  this 
translates into low switching rates. Retail markets are also in practice very concentrated.4 
Following a positive cost-benefit analysis, wide-scale electricity smart meters roll-out is scheduled5 within 
2014-2022 with an 80% implementation target. Consumers' overall assessment of the retail electricity and 
gas markets is just above the EU average.6 

CONTRIBUTION OF ENERGY TO CONSUMER PRICE EVOLUTION 

Consumer  price  inflation  has  decelerated  in  Romania  from  9.1%  in  2005  to  1.4%  in  2014  thus 
converging to the EU average. Compared to the EU, energy prices have played a relatively smaller 

3  
4   NRA 

Source:Eurostat (http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Energy_price_statistics) 

national 

Naţională 
http://www.ceer.eu/portal/page/portal/EER_HOME/EER_PUBLICATIONS/NATIONAL_REPORTS/National%20Reporting
%202014/NR_nl/C14_NR_Romania-NL.pdf 

Reglementare 

Autoritatea 

domeniul 

report 

2014, 

de 

în 

Energiei  

5   Ord 91/2013 
6  
 http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/consumer_scoreboards/10_edition/index_en.htm  

10th Consumer Markets Scoreboard (June 2014), 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                 
 
Towards an Energy Union - Romania 

role in the overall inflationary performance of Romania in this period. 

Source: DG ECFIN based on Eurostat 

VULNERABLE CONSUMERS 

 Source: European Commission, based on on EUROSTAT SILC survey 

issue 

Based on a Eurostat survey on income and 
living conditions, three proxy indicators are 
used  to  assess  fuel  poverty.  There  seems 
in  Romania 
to  be  a  particular 
regarding  households  with  arrears  on 
utility  bills.  The  roadmap  for  phasing  out 
regulated  electricity  and  gas  prices 
includes  social  measures  for  vulnerable 
consumers  by  providing  direct  subsidies, 
informing consumers about the process of 
liberalisation, 
the 
market 
reviewing 
process 
suppliers  and 
changing 
for 
detailing  electricity  and  gas  bills.  Financial 
aid  for  social  protection  during  the  cold 
season is in place.  

The  effects  of  market  liberalisation,  in 
particular the costs of investments needed 
for  decarbonisation  and  their  impact  on 
the utility bills, need to be carefully looked 
at.  Due  to  the  overall  low  income  in 
Romania,  an  important  segment  of  the 
considered  as 
population  might  be 
vulnerable consumers.  

3. Energy Efficiency and moderation of energy demand 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY TARGET 2020  
(43 Mtoe primary energy and 30.3 Mtoe final energy) 

5 

024681020052007200920112013% increase on a year earlierNon EnergyEnergyAll itemsRomania : Price evolution & the contribution of energy prices-10123420052007200920112013% increase on a year earlierNon EnergyEnergyAll itemsEU28 : Price evolution & the contribution of energy prices 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towards an Energy Union - Romania 

 Source:  European  Commission,  based  on  EUROSTAT  and  on  national  energy 

efficiency targets as declared by the MS under the EED 

Romania’s  2020  energy  efficiency  target  is 
42.99  Mtoe  expressed  in  primary  energy 
consumption  (30.32  Mtoe  expressed  in  final 
energy  consumption).  Even 
if  Romania’s 
current  primary  energy  consumption  (30.9 
Mtoe  in  2012)  is  below  its  2020  target,  it 
should  continue  its  current  efforts  regarding 
energy efficiency to keep the primary energy 
consumption  at  this  level  or  increase  it  only 
slightly  so  that  it  will  reach  its  2020  target 
even if the economy continues to grow in the 
next  five  years.  In  the  second  half  of  2015 
further  steps  are  expected  to  complete 
energy efficiency legislation and facilitate the 
implementation  of  "alternative  measures"  in 
accordance  with  Article  7  of  the  Energy 
Efficiency Directive. 

ENERGY INTENSITY 

Primary energy intensity in Romania has decreased since 2005 but remains about twice as high as the EU 
average. Energy intensity in the industrial sector has almost halfed since 2005 but nevertheless remains 
above the EU average, one of the main reasons being the much higher percentage of the industrial sector 
in Romanian GDP compared to the EU average.  

Primary energy intensity of the economy      

Final energy intensity in industry

Source: European Commission based on  EUROSTAT and European 
Commission/AMECO 

Source:  European  Commission  based  on    EUROSTAT  and  European 
Commission/AMECO 

Specific energy consumption by households is above EU average and only slightly decreased over the last 
8 years. There seems to be untapped potential for energy savings in the residential and transport sectors. 
Romania  has  inefficient  district  heatings  system  facing  a  double  challenge  of  insufficient  financial 
resources and poor management capabilities. This in turn prompts individual customers to disconnect and 
use alternative sources, thus entailing a vicious circle in terms of financing the system by the remaining, 
fewer customers. 

The specific energy  intensity of passengers  cars decreased slightly between 2005 and 2010. The specific 
energy intensity for freight transport more than doubled between 2005-2010 (i.e. from the same unit of 
energy  fewer  tonnes  of  good  are  transported  and/or  on  shorter  distances  perhaps  because    the  load 
factors of freight vehicles are lower). 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towards an Energy Union - Romania 

Final  energy 
residential sector, climate corrected 

consumption  per  m2 

in 

Specific energy intensity for passenger cars and freight transport7  

Source: European Commission based on  Odyssee 
database 

Source:  PRIMES  model  background  data  and  estimations  based  on  EU  Commission 
and EU MS inputs   

EU  legislation  sets  mandatory  CO2  emission  reduction  targets  for  new  cars  and  vans.  By  2021,  the  fleet 
average to be achieved by all new cars is 95 grams of CO2 per kilometre. For new vans, the fleet average is 
set at 147 g/km by 2020. 

Source: European Environmental Agency. 2014 values are provisional. 2013 EU average refers to EU-27. 

Regarding transport performance, in EU-28 the inland freight modal shares are 71% by road, 17% by rail, 
7% by inland waterways and 5% by pipelines. The respective inland passenger modal shares are 82% by 
private  car,  9%  by  buses  and  coaches,  7%  by  railways  and  2%  by  tram  and  metro.    Compared  to  the 
European average, in Romania there is a higher use of rail and inland waterways transport for the freight 
sector, and of buses and coaches in passenger transport. 

Modal shares Romania 

Source: Eurostat and EU transport in figures 2015. Data refers to 2013. Modal shares based on tonne-kilometres for freight sector and passenger-
kilometres for passenger sector, freight data based on activity within country territory. Estimates are made when data is missing. 

4. Decarbonisation of the economy 

7  

Statistics  on  energy  demand  for  passengers  and  freight  transport  are  not  available  and  model  estimates  have  been 
used instead. These issues should be borne in mind when comparing energy intensity in freight or passenger transport 
between Member States, which should be regarded as merely indicative. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                 
Towards an Energy Union - Romania 

NON-ETS GHG EMISSION REDUCTION TARGET 2020  
(+19% by 2020 as compared to 2005 in the non-ETS sector) 

Romania  has  decreased  its  emissions  by  9  %  between 
2005 and 2014 approximated data. 
According to its 2015 projections, Romania is expected 
to  reach  its  2020  target,  with  a  15  %  margin  as 
compared to 2005.  

Non-ETS Emissions 
(vs. 2005) 

Projections with 
existing measures 
2020 

Proxy 2014 

Projections/proxy 

target 

+4% 

-9% 

+19% 

+4% 

Source:  European  Commission 
preliminary inventory data. 

  based  on  EEA.  Based  on 

ESD  (Effort  Sharing  Decision)  emissions  are  the  emissions  from 

sectors not covered by the EU ETS. 

RENEWABLE ENERGY SHARE TARGET 2020 (24%) 

With  a  renewable  energy  share  of  23.9%  in  2013, 
Romania is on track to achieve its 24% target for 2020. 

Source: European Commission based on  EUROSTAT 

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION INDICATORS 

  Carbon intensity of the economy is among the highest in the EU (nearly 3 times higher than the EU 

 

average).  
In 2014, the revenues from the auctioning of ETS allowances amounted to EUR 97.9 million, out of 
which around 70% are established to be used for shifting to low carbon transport. 

Largest Sectors of GHG 
Emissions in 2012(*) 

Energy/power industry  

Transport 

Industry  

Agriculture (incl. forestry & 
fishery) 

Residential & Commercial 

Waste  

RO 

34% 

13% 

24% 

16% 

8% 

5% 

EU 
Average 

33% 

20% 

19% 

12% 

13% 

3% 

(*) Sectoral breakdown for 2013 data not available. Inventory 
submission 2014 

GHG Emissions 

RO 

EU 

EU ETS auctioning revenues 
in 2014 (EUR millions) 

97.9 

3205 

Share of ETS emissions in 
2013 

GHG emissions/capita 
(tCO2equivalent) in 2013 
Carbon intensity of the 
economy in 2013 
(tCO2equivalent/(EUR 
millions) 

39% 

42% 

5.5 

8.9 

822 

346 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towards an Energy Union - Romania 

Source: European Commission  based on EEA 
GDP: EC, DG ECFIN 2015 spring forecast. 2013 GHT 
emissions from estimates provided by 31st August 
2015 by the Member States. They have been 
compiled according to the 2006 IPCC guidelines 
and the new global warming potentials from the 
IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). 

ENERGY & TRANSPORT TAXATION 

Energy  and  transport  related  taxes  as  a  share  of  GDP  reached  1.9%  in  2012,  which  is  below  the  EU 
average.  The  main  component  is  transport  fuel  taxes  reaching  1.5%  of  GDP.  Since  2007  the  share  of 
energy and transport taxes has declined in Romania, with taxes on both transport vehicles and heat and 
electricity falling as a share of GDP. 

Source: Eurostat 

5. Research, innovation and competitiveness 

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION 

Romania spends a large share of its public support to R&D in the field of sustainable energy, low-carbon 
and  environment.  However,  in  terms  of  intensity  of  low-carbon  technologies  patents,  Romania  is  much 
behind the EU average and main worldwide partners. 

Source: European Commission based on  EUROSTAT   

COMPETITIVENESS 

9 

0.01.02.03.0ROEU-28Energy & Transport related taxes % of GDP, 2007TransportvehiclesTransport fuelHeat &Electricity0.01.02.03.0ROEU-28Energy & Transport related taxes % of GDP, 2012TransportvehiclesTransport fuelHeat &Electricity 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towards an Energy Union - Romania 

The  real  unit  energy  costs8 in  Romania  decreased 
since 2000 having an opposite evolution than at the 
EU  average  and  in  the  US.  These  costs  are  now 
slightly above the EU average and the US. However, 
a  lack  of  data  does  not  allow  assessing  the  main 
determinants  of  this  trend,  i.e.  development  of 
energy prices and energy intensity9. 
In  Romania,  the  gas  and  electricity  prices  for 
industrial  customers  are  among  the  lowest  in  the 
EU.  In  comparison  to  energy  prices  for  industrial 
consumers  from  the  major  EU  trade  partners,  gas 
prices  are  still  higher  but  the  electricity  prices  are 
competitive.  

Real unit energy costs (% of value added) 

Source: European Commission 

Source: European Commission based on EUROSTAT and IEA 

6. Post-2020 Energy and Climate policy Strategy  

COMPREHENSIVE MEDIUM TO LONG-TERM STRATEGY (post-2020) 
FOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY  

  Romania  has  not  yet  established  a  medium  to  long-term  strategy  for  climate  and  energy 

covering the period beyond 2020. 

  The National Strategy on Climate Change 2013-2020 covers both mitigation and adaptation 
sectors. The strategy has a horizon to 2020 and does not define quantitative GHG emission 
reduction targets post 2020. Romania is developing a consolidated climate change strategy, 
complementing the future strategy with a low-carbon green growth strategy and an action 
plan.  

  Romania also has in place a 2008 National Sustainable Development Strategy in place. 
  The National Energy Strategy is currently being revised in the context of developments at EU 
level  and  at  national  level  and  based  on  national  objectives  in  terms  of  security  of  energy 
supply,  competitive  and  affordable  electricity  prices  to  the  consumers,  while  taking 
advantage of the natural energy sources. 

  For the horizon 2020-2030, Romania envisages an energy scenario which implies a diversified 
and technological neutral low-carbon energy mix. In order to meet electricity demand in the 
medium and long term and meet climate change objectives, Romania will commission new 
energy  capacities,  based  on  clean  technologies,  that  will  cover  the  capacity  shortages 

8  
9  

This indicator measures the amount of money spent on energy sources needed to obtain one unit of value added. 
The  energy  intensity  presented  here  is  derived  from  Use  Tables  of  WIOD,  see  "Energy  Economic  Developments  in 
Europe SWD(2014)19". 

10 

24.49.58.214.713.28.814.713.78.0051015202530ROEU27US200020092011 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                 
Towards an Energy Union - Romania 

estimated to occur after 2020, and expected to deepen after 2025. 

NATIONAL TARGETS, especially for 2030 

Comments 

Objective, 2030-2050 
GHG reduction  
Renewable energy  
Energy 
Efficiency 
savings 

/ 

Targets 

No 
No 
No 

7. Regional cooperation 

Regional  cooperation  on  infrastructure  development  is  necessary  to  optimise  the  identification  of 
regional infrastructure priorities and to coordinate cross-border investments. Romania is a member 
of  3  Regional  Groups  which  have  been  established  under  the  TEN-E  Regulation:  North-South 
electricity 
in  Central  Eastern  and  South  Eastern  Europe;  North-South  gas 
interconnections in Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe; and Southern Gas Corridor. 

interconnections 

Romania  is  a  member  of  the  High  Level  Group  on  Central  East  South  Europe  Connectivity  (CESEC) 
together with Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Slovenia. CESEC members agreed 
that  the  main  purpose  of  the  Group  will  be  to  ensure  each  Member  State  at  least  three  different 
sources  of  natural  gas.  The  objective  of  the  High  Level  Group  is  to  establish  a  regional  priority 
infrastructure  roadmap  and  advance  its  implementation  in  order  to  develop  missing  infrastructure 
and  improve  security  of  gas  supplies.  More  specifically,  Romania  is  cooperating  with  Bulgaria  and 
Greece  to  connect  the  North-South  Corridor  in  Eastern  Europe  with  the  Southern  Gas  Corridor, 
through access to storage, to the existing and planned LNG terminals in Greece, as well as through 
continuous bi-directional flows between Greece, Bulgaria and Romania. 

The Czech, Slovak and Hungarian day-ahead electricity wholesale markets have been coupled since 
September  2012,  which  Romania  joined  in  2014.  The  price  convergence  between  these  countries 
reached  76%  after  the  launch  of  the  market  coupling.  Cross-border  capacity  allocation  for  power 
transmission  for  German,  Polish  and  Austrian  takes  place  through  Central  Allocation  Office  GmbH. 
Capacity allocation with the Czech Republic is based on long-term nominations. Since 2014, Romania 
is also seeking to participate in the NWE CEE Flow-Based Market Coupling Project. 

8. Cohesion policy contribution 

The EU Cohesion policy provides for important investment possibilities to implement energy policy 
objectives  in  Romania  which  will  be  complemented  by  national  public  and  private  co-financing, 
aiming at optimal leverage. It also ensures integrated territorial solutions to challenges by supporting 
capacity  building,  technical  assistance  and  territorial  cooperation,  including  the  Danube  Region 
macro-regional strategy in which Romania takes part. 

Internal energy market: Over 2014-2020, EU Cohesion Policy will invest some EUR 68 million in smart 
energy  storage  and  transmission  systems,  as  well  as  around  EUR  45  million  in  smart  electricity 
distribution  grids  in  Romania.  These  investments  are  expected  to  contribute  to  around  80  000 
additional users connected to smart grids. 

Energy efficiency: Over 2014-2020, EU Cohesion Policy will invest around EUR 1 309 million in energy 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Towards an Energy Union - Romania 

efficiency improvements in public and residential buildings, as well as in high-efficiency cogeneration 
and district heating in Romania. A further estimated EUR 3 745 million will be invested in supporting 
the  move  towards  an  energy-efficient,  decarbonised  transport  sector.  These  investments  are 
expected  to  contribute  to  around  129  000  households  with  improved  energy  consumption 
classification  and  a  decrease  of  around  31  365  000  kWh  per  year  of  decreased  primary  energy 
consumption of public buildings, as well as to around 390 km of reconstructed or upgraded railway 
lines,  70  km  of  new  or  improved  tram  and  metro  lines  and  30  km  of  new  or  improved  inland 
waterways. 

Decarbonisation:  Overall,  the  EU  Cohesion  Policy  investments  in  Romania  over  2014-2020  are 
expected to contribute to an estimated annual decrease of GHG of around 343 000 tonnes of CO2eq. 
Over 2014-2020, EU Cohesion Policy will invest some EUR 95 million in renewable energy in Romania. 
These investments are expected to contribute to around 60 MW of additional capacity of renewable 
energy production. 

Research,  Innovation  and  Competitiveness:  Over  2014-2020,  EU  Cohesion  Policy  will  invest 
significantly in R&I and in SME competitiveness in Romania. This will be based on a national strategy 
for smart specialisation. At this stage, at least EUR 15 million is foreseen for investments in R&I and 
adoption  of  low-carbon  technologies  in  Romania,  but  this  might  increase  further  in  line  with  the 
evolving content of the smart specialisation strategy. 

12