Romanian authorities aim to make better use of Romania’s energy mix, which is seen as a regional strategic advantage
PM Luca Niculescu in Cernavodă (photo: facebook.com/guv.ro)
Ştefan Stoica,
09.11.2026, 14:00
Diversifying energy sources and developing storage capacities are solutions the Romanian government is considering in order to enhance the country’s energy independence.
The statement was made by PM Luca Niculescu over the weekend at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, a facility that had to be shut down during the summer because of the Danube’s low flow rate, which forced Romania to rely on energy imports in recent months. The government is now looking for solutions to address vulnerabilities in the system.
PM Luca Niculescu: “The solutions have already been devised, we are working on them: diversifying energy sources, investing in storage to expand storage capacities massively, as well as transport and regional interconnections. And there is, of course, the Neptun Deep project (the natural gas field in the Black Sea), as of next year. Our priority is to secure Romania’s energy supply. The further we can progress toward energy independence, the better.”
Meanwhile, the energy ministry proposed several measures to assist vulnerable consumers. Minister Dumitru Chisăliţă floated the idea of a registry of vulnerable consumers, based on accurate assessments, to determine the amount of aid to be provided. He also emphasised that a transition to a fully deregulated market cannot be accomplished in just a few months.
Dumitru Chisăliţă: “We must move very pragmatically toward a deregulated market, one that does not cause harm, but rather generates gains for all parties involved. We are currently in a period where international and European developments regarding energy prices have reached a critical stage; for this very reason, our preparation must be thorough and appropriate.”
The energy ministry is working with several scenarios, including a prospective extension of an existing order that explores ways to provide compensation and subsidies to properly identified vulnerable consumers; these measures could also be broadened to include both residential and non-residential consumers.
Meanwhile, the energy minister is expected to present a detailed report this week on how to better leverage Romania’s energy mix, an asset viewed as a regional strategic advantage.
The document was requested by PM Luca Niculescu, in light of this year’s decline in domestic production and rising energy prices. Luca Niculescu says energy is a key area of interest for investors, as it is vital to Romania’s competitiveness and economic attractiveness. The new government plan will facilitate a set of measures prioritising the financing of energy storage capacity and the acceleration of strategic projects, such as the revamping of the Cernavodă reactors and the development of new gas-fired power plants. (AMP)
