Romania is planning to phase-out coal from electricity generation by 2032, according to a document sent to the European Commission, included in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The document contains a list of reforms that Romania will implement in the context of the adoption of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Reforms have been proposed at nine levels, one of which concerns the energy sector. In line with the goal of increasing the use of energy from renewable sources, the document mentions for the first time the date when Romania will phase-out coal – 2032.
Most of the coalmines currently in operation will be “secured”, a term that actually refers to the beginning of closure, by 2030, and they should be finally closed by 2032. In addition coal-phase-out, the document talks about the strategy for hydrogen in Romania, but also about the gradual replacement of conventional capacities for electricity production.
Romania’s coal phase-out was first mentioned in the document that accompanied the decision to grant state aid to coal-based electricity producer Energy Complex (EC) Oltenia. The only large producer of electricity from coal in the country, EC Oltenia, will leave in operation only two units at TPP Rovinari, with a total capacity of 660 MW. EC Oltenia’s restructuring plan envisages that coal-fired capacity will be reduced from 3,570 MW in early 2021 to just 660 MW in early 2027, or by 82 % in six years.
