Romanian Energy Mkt Favors Hydro, Nuclear Power – PM

Romania’s current electricity output is 54.3% obtained from coal or gas-fired thermal power plants, 28.4% in the hydropower units and 17.3% by the country’s sole nuclear power plant in Cernavoda, Boc said at the Mediafax Talks about Energy conference.

"We have a unique situation in Europe from this point of view, as the three sources are, practically, competing against each other. In reality, this system is not in competition, as the nuclear and hydropower producers are clearly advantaged to the detriment of the thermal power sector, with  negative social consequences, if we think about the mining sector," Boc said.

As regards thermal power plants, the prime minister said the ones using coal as raw material produce 66% of the thermal power, while the plants using gas produce 30% and the ones using fuel oil produce 4% of the country’s total thermal power.

Bos said earlier Thursday that the Government plans to take a foreign loan worth several billion euros to upgrade cogeneration power plants, as home heating systems are not a viable medium-term solution.