Romania has made it clear that shutting down coal-fired units at the Energy Complex (EC) Oltenia, as outlined in its Resilience and Recovery Plan (PNRR), would undermine its energy security. The Ministry of Energy warns that this move would increase reliance on imported electricity from neighboring countries such as Serbia and Bulgaria, where coal remains a dominant and costly energy source.
Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja has repeatedly communicated to the European Commission over the past year that a coal phase-out is currently unrealistic. Replacement gas-fired power plants are still in the procurement stage, hindered by several failed tenders caused by soaring gas turbine prices in recent years. Given these challenges, the Ministry is formally requesting a revision of the PNRR timeline to postpone the 2026 deadline for decommissioning coal-fired power plants.
Minister Burduja emphasized Romania’s right, as an EU member, to renegotiate its commitments when unexpected and uncontrollable circumstances arise. In direct talks with European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen, he stressed that shutting down 1,755 MW of coal capacity by January 1, 2026, without replacement infrastructure, is unfeasible and would jeopardize the stability of Romania’s electricity network—especially during winter. His stance is supported by technical data and energy system analyses.
Despite current delays, Romania remains committed to phasing out coal by 2032 and has already achieved a 77% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the highest in the EU. However, Minister Burduja underscored that coal plant closures must be linked to the commissioning of new capacity to avoid compromising the energy system.
Advocating for a balanced and pragmatic energy transition, he proposed a “smart deal” focused on protecting citizens and the economy. He insisted that energy policy must prioritize reliability, affordability, and environmental impact—in that order.
Romania has contributed significantly to the EU energy landscape by modernizing cross-border connections and supporting regional partners such as Moldova and Ukraine. The government expects other EU member states to increase investments in interconnections to foster a truly unified European energy market.
Minister Burduja concluded with confidence that Romania’s position will be recognized and supported by European institutions, as it balances national interests with broader EU goals.
