Romania U-turns on decarbonisation to expand a lignite mine in Gorj and wipe out 106 hectares of forest
January 13, 2023
The Romanian government is again acting contrary to its EU commitments.
Romanian decision-makers try to misuse REPowerEU funds for illegal hydropower plants
November 30, 2022
This briefing describes how Romania’s Parliament and Government are again pushing to legalise illegal hydropower projects in protected areas using new opportunities for funding under the REPowerEU chapter of the EU recovery fund. It shows how a new dra
Romanian decision-makers attempt misuse of REPowerEU funds for illegal hydropower plants
November 30, 2022
Romania’s Government plans to use funds allocated under the REPowerEU package to build nine hydropower projects in protected natural areas, Bankwatch Romania has warned the European Commission today.
Sustainable district heating gives hope to the Romanian city of Motru, in a coal mining region
November 18, 2022
A new study shows that the city’s district heating can come from fully renewable sources.
The solution to Romania’s energy poverty is decentralised, renewable energy
May 23, 2022
Over a third of Romania’s population is affected by energy poverty, but this can change with an integrated approach and targeted support.
Patru ONG-uri de protecţie a mediului au cerut Ministerului Energiei creşterea investiţiilor în sursele de energie regenerabilă
February 3, 2022
Reprezentanţii a patru ONG-uri de protecţie a mediului au organizat o acţiune de protest, joi, în faţa Ministerului Energiei, solicitând …
Fact sheet on energy efficiency investment programmes in Romania
November 23, 2021
A successful transition to a decarbonised economy is carried out by prioritising investments in energy efficiency, one of the main pillars of the European Green Deal. Romania has committed to reduce its final energy consumption by 40.4 per cent and its
Coal in Romania – a review of coal assets and their impact on the environment
August 16, 2021
This report documents the power plants and coal mines in Romania in order to understand their negative impact on the environment, economy and public health and support a more rapid coal phase-out. The analysis was performed based on information collect
The beginning of the end – coal phase out in Romania
August 16, 2021
On 27 July, the most polluting coal power plant in Romania was shut down. After more than 50 years in service, the Mintia power plant is closing because it has failed for a long time to comply with the legal emissions limit. The European Commission sent infringement notices to Romania five years in a row for non-compliance with the Industrial Emissions Directive. At the same time, two units at Oltenia Energy Complex, Romania’s largest lignite power producer, will be closed by the end of the year. For Romanian coal power, this is the beginning of the end.
Fossil gas investments undermine green recovery in Romania
August 9, 2021
Despite strong criticism from the European Commission, the Romanian authorities are determined to use the EU recovery fund for massive investments in fossil gas and hydrogen.