In the coming years, Romania can surpass countries such as Spain or Portugal in terms of green energy production. Success depends on the harmonization and alternation of renewable energy sources.
Romania can surpass Spain or Portugal in the production of green energy
Romania can make a historic transition to renewable energy, according to one of the main suppliers of photovoltaic systems in the country. Our country could even surpass the green energy production of countries like Spain or Portugal in the next 5 years, having the capacity and resources necessary to make this rapid transition, informs the Kilowat company.
Currently, Romania faces some of the highest energy prices in Europe, at 69 euros / MWh, while Spain and Portugal benefit from extremely low costs, reaching as low as 1 euro / MWh. This contrast is the result of these countries’ massive investments in green energy sources.
Specialists emphasize that the success of the transition and implementation of renewable energy on a large scale in Romania depends on the harmonization and alternation of renewable energy sources, as well as on encouraging domestic and industrial consumers to adapt to this new reality.
Renewable energy sources must be harmonized
Albert Soare, the founder of the company Kilowat, highlights the importance of harmonizing renewable energy sources, which can be obtained and used alternatively from solar panels, wind and hydropower systems. In this sense, he emphasizes Romania’s hydrographic potential, which can effectively support a green energy system.
“Romania can become a 100% green country, that is, it can produce so much renewable energy that we can easily compete with Spain and any other country in the world. As long as the three sources are not correlated, we cannot speak of efficiency, there are no pragmatic reasons to produce hydro power during the peak production period of photovoltaic parks and prosumer owned systems.
Romania has a great watershed that, properly used, can support a very efficient green energy system. Before we spend huge amounts on storage, we should make use of this natural storage system that is much more efficient, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than any battery. We need a clear vision to support the production of green energy and a coherent strategy in this regard, in order to benefit Romanians and the business environment with the lowest possible energy prices”, says Albert Soare.
The state must intervene to protect us from excessive fluctuations
Also, adjusting consumer goods and encouraging consumers to adapt to new market realities are essential to the success of the transition to green energy. Experts suggest that reducing prices for periods when the price of energy is low could encourage consumption and contribute to more efficient use of energy produced from renewable sources.
“The population lives in a parallel reality. While stock market prices vary from hour to hour and season to season, our bills are always the same. While we read the news that energy is sold at a negative price during the weekend at noon, we pay a fixed rate. It is normal for the state to intervene and protect us from excessive price fluctuations on the stock market, but at the same time these measures should not prevent us from benefiting from low prices in certain periods.
A price cut for periods of time when the stock market price is known to be consistently falling will encourage consumption. Come summer, there’s no real reason why people should skimp on the heatwave and turn on the air conditioner with reluctance. The more light from the sun the more energy enters the system. We need consumption during the peak periods of photovoltaic production, but production must be corroborated with consumption”, explains Soare.
Also, while there are concerns in the market regarding a possible energy surplus, in Romania there are still homes not connected to the electricity grid. Thus, the company’s representatives emphasize that it is essential that in Romania a balance be found between managing the energy surplus and ensuring universal access to electricity. By implementing smart energy policies and strategies, energy efficiency and sustainable use of resources can be supported, while ensuring that every Romanian citizen has access to adequate energy services.
Increased interest in green energy in rural areas
As long as Romania does not accelerate the transition to green energy, in this increasingly unstable economic-political context, Romanians, both individuals and legal entities, feel the ever-increasing costs of energy and turn to photovoltaic systems, which -could reduce these costs up to 6 times.
The level of demand for the installation of photovoltaic systems will remain at least the same in 2024 compared to last year, with an increased interest from Romanians with houses in the countryside, where there is a strong trend of switching to green energy.
