A snapshot of the National Energy System was recently analyzed by ROEC, highlighting key developments from August 21. At lunchtime, photovoltaics generated 3,200 MW, accounting for 45% of electricity production, while storage facilities absorbed the surplus to inject it back into the system during the evening peak. Meanwhile, natural gas remained constant, wind contributed around 1,200 MW, and biomass delivered nearly 60 MW.

Challenges arose elsewhere in the energy mix: nuclear production was at zero, hydropower suffered from drought, recording only 477 MW at lunch with hopes of recovery after 18:00 from reservoirs, and coal experienced a temporary breakdown at the Turceni boiler, which was swiftly resolved. Consequently, Romania imported massive volumes from Bulgaria, facilitated by an interconnection capacity of nearly 2,000 MW, the largest among all neighboring countries.

Regarding the ANRE project aimed at rewarding large consumers who reduce their consumption, ROEC considers it a welcome, albeit overdue, step. In a functional economy, companies that agree to lower their activity during periods of energy scarcity or high prices must receive financial compensation. This principle should have guided the framework for uninterruptible consumers from the very beginning.

Could the state have avoided this summer's crisis? Unfortunately, the state has allowed unfinished infrastructure projects to drag on for decades, leaving current decision-makers to bear the consequences.