The government sees no problems with electricity and gas supply this winter and says that the necessary services and quantities are assured. However, there are companies in Romania that have announced temporary shutdowns or cuts in production because they have been unable to conclude suitable energy supply contracts, and some schools are operating online due to lack of heat.
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă held a working meeting with energy officials at the government on Tuesday. According to a press release, the discussions showed that Romania will have no problems this winter with electricity and gas supply.
“The discussions focused on the state of preparations for the winter season, from the perspective of developments in the energy sector in Romania. From the analysis, it emerged that the supply of electricity is ensured both for essential services and for household and other consumers. As regards gas supply, the quantities of gas are assured for the functioning of the supply under normal conditions,” the government statement said.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu, Energy Minister Virgil Popescu, Economy Minister Florin Spătaru, Interior Minister Lucian Bode, ANRE President Dumitru Chiriță, representatives of Transelectrica, Transgaz, Romgaz and the Environment Ministry.
The government’s announcement comes as Azomures Targu Mures, Romania’s largest producer of fertilizers used in agriculture, temporarily halted its fertilizer production due to gas prices, saying the company will resume production “if and when market conditions allow”.
Aluminum producer Alro Slatina will also scale back its primary aluminum production this year because of the situation in the energy and gas markets but will implement technological measures to allow a quick and efficient restart when conditions in the energy sector return to normal, according to the company.
In parallel, however, gas and energy prices in some localities have led to school closures. This is also the case in the municipality of Giurgiu, where gas bills have physically closed schools. Mayor Adrian Anghelescu blamed the city hall for not receiving the necessary money from the government.