The Romanian Wind Energy Association (RWEA) is asking that renewable energy projects get included in the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. RWEA sent a letter to Prime Minister Ludovic Orban, following the publication of the Emergency Ordinance on some measures for the elaboration of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan necessary for Romania to access reimbursable and non-reimbursable external funds under the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, in which it asks for the inclusion of projects of investments in energy from renewable sources among the projects provided for in the document of the Emergency Ordinance, these being essential for the economic reconstruction at national level at the end of this period of crisis.
RWEA also calls for investment projects under the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism to be accessible not only to public administrations, but to all actors who can support a rapid and efficient economic recovery.
RWEA expressed its support for the Government’s initiative to develop the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, but notes with surprise the absence of renewable energy projects among the categories of projects provided in the document adopted by Emergency Ordinance in 31 August 2020, as well as the fact that the projects are addressed exclusively to public administrations. This absence is all the more surprising as investments in renewable energy are provided by the European authorities as an essential pillar not only of the Green Deal, but especially of the European economic recovery plan, through its instruments, Next Generation EU and the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
According to the European Economic Recovery Plan, urgent action is needed to revive the economy and create the conditions for a recovery fueled by private investment in key sectors and technologies, including renewable energy, which are particularly important for the successful transition to a green economy and Europe’s digital transition. Investments in key sectors and technologies, including renewable energy and clean hydrogen, are crucial for Europe’s future, according to the European Commission.
In order to have a beneficial effect and be consistent with the targets of decarbonizing the economy assumed by Romania at European level, investments must take into account the investment objectives of the National Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate Change 2021 – 2030, which mentions the achievement of over 7 GW of new renewable capacities nationwide. At the same time, it is important to emphasize the possibility of creating a strategic value chain in the field of renewable energy, including batteries and hydrogen and other areas intrinsically linked to the energy transition, at national level, which will create new jobs and will have a multiplied economic impact at the level of Romanian society.
RWEA recalls that the energy sector in Romania needs investments of over 22 billion euro over the next 10 years to reach the targets assumed towards the European Commission for 2030, according to PNIESC 2021 – 2030 and the Energy Strategy of Romania.
