„All the plants that ensure a good functioning of the energy system have the necessary fuel stocks, and SNLO (state-owned mining company – e.n.) has additional large brown coal reserves,” the ministry said in a statement.
Between October 1 and March 30, 2010, the ministry estimates an electricity production of around 30.9 million MWh and a heat output of 16.1 million giga-calories.
In the analyzed period, 17,400 tons of brown coal, 1.8 million tons of pitcoal, 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas and 360,000 tons of fuel oil will be used for energy production.
In drafting the winter program, the ministry equally envisaged a potential gas crisis similar with the one in January, when Russia suspended for two weeks the gas supply to several countries in Europe, including Romania.
The ministry concluded that in the event of a total 30-day gas supply halt from Russia in January 2010, Romania would need additional 110,000 tons of crude oil.