Ilie Bolojan explains the reasons for the increase in energy prices. Reproaches to the managers of some state companies
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan stated, in a post on Facebook, that the increase in energy prices is also caused by the non-realization of investments with non-reimbursable funds by state-controlled companies, he imputed to their management that they used the money only to a “very low degree”, which is why it is necessary to re-evaluate the performance criteria for these heads of these companies.
Ilie Bolojan claims that energy prices have affected not only family budgets, but also the competitiveness of the Romanian economy, which has led to a decrease in industrial production in the last five years.
Billions of euros unused
“In order to recover economically, the decrease in the price of electricity is a basic condition. We will reduce the price of energy only with the realization of investments in energy production, in storage and in the modernization of networks, as well as by eliminating delays in investments for which we already have secured financing”, wrote the prime minister.
He reminds that Romania benefits from transfers to the Modernization Fund, from greenhouse gas emissions certificates, money that can only be used for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and network modernization.
It is about approved, non-reimbursable investments of 12 billion euros, of which 7.7 billion euros are allocated to energy. However, investments are hard to come by.
“The non-use of funds is also caused by the non-realization of the investments allocated to the large state companies in the field of energy. In recent years, they have had a very low degree of investment realization, affecting the development of new production capacities and energy networks. This situation exists because, in the mandate contracts of those who run these companies, no indicators are included that link their evaluation to the realization of investments, the use of available funds and compliance with the assumed deadlines”, said Bolojan.
The examples given by Bolojan
He gives three examples of state energy companies, the first being that of the Oltenia Energy Complex.
“It has 11 approved investments, worth almost 900 million euros, of which nine were signed in the summer of 2023 and two in 2024: photovoltaic parks and gas plants. The works settled in all these years represent less than 10%, and there is a high risk that the gas plants will not be completed. Their non-completion creates serious problems for us in meeting the milestones regarding decarbonization and may lead to the loss of European funds.” claims the head of the Government.
Transelectrica is also mentioned with 11 contracts, totaling more than 530 million euros for new power lines, interconnections and station renovations. Only 4% of the amount has been settled, leading to delays in ensuring access to electricity networks and interconnections and distortions in the energy market.
Finally, in 2024, ELCEN Bucharest signed three contracts with a total value of over 360 million euros for the modernization of the CETs, but the projects are still in the tender phase.
“We can no longer continue in this way. It is not normal to hold management positions in monopolistic state companies, to have large earnings, without them being conditional on achievements and performance. We have agreed with those in charge of Energy to work on changing the performance indicators for all companies that do not realize their investments”, concluded Ilie Bolojan, who also holds the position of interim Minister of Energy.
