Investors planning to develop projects in the energy sector based on natural gas resources will have to meet tight requirements such as low CO2 emission rates, the closure of coal-based power plans as a precondition, or reducing the CO2 emissions at an existing gas-fired plant.

The investors can achieve this by building high-tech power plants and using the hydrogen (besides natural gas) in the existing plants subject to refurbishment, explained Deloitte Romania's energy expert Sorin Elisei at a conference, Economica.net reported.

The three European financing programs, namely the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Modernisation Plan, and the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027, may bring Romania EUR 15 bln for investments in the energy sector.

Romania and other countries in the region have argued for maintaining natural gas as a transition fuel in the European Union's policies hence financial instruments.

In principle, the target was achieved, but the requirements to be met by investors are high: the CO2 emissions in the new gas-fired plants should not exceed 250g per kWh - compared to 325-340g currently.

Under the Recovery Plan, the opening of new power plants should be preceded by the closing of coal-fired plants with the same capacity. The Modernisation Fund finances refurbishing existing plants, but the investor must stick with the CO2 reduction schedule promised.

iulian@romania-insider.com

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