Distributed system operators in Romania must invest 6 billion euros in the development of the electricity grid by 2030 in addition to European funds, the Federation of Associations of Energy Utility Companies, ACUE, said.
To facilitate private investments in grid infrastructure, the regulatory framework in Romania must enable the recovery of financing costs through distribution fees, ACUE said in a press release.
Electricity and natural gas prices in Romania are subject to a capping scheme until March 2025.
According to the most optimistic scenario rendered by ACUE evaluations, which envisions a threefold increase in DSO investments, the impact on distribution fees would increase progressively over the next five years, reaching approximately 0.05 lei per kWh in 2030. Thus, a monthly consumption of 150 kWh would attract an extra cost of approximately 8 lei (1.61 euro).
Smart and resilient power grids will enable Romania to double its renewable energy capacity and reach 2.5 GW of installed capacity for prosumers by 2030. Grid investments will also support new charging technologies for 850,000 electric vehicles, power storage technologies, accelerated electrification, grid flexibility, and increased energy efficiency.
ACUE represents 25 companies from the energy sector, collectively employing over 23,000 individuals and generating a combined annual turnover of over 5.5 billion euros.
The total amount of investments made by ACUE members between 2018 and 2022 rose to over 13.5 billion lei (2.71 billion euros), seenews.com reports.