Renewable Energy Sources in Romania: Progress and Perspectives Towards the EU Targets.

Abstract

The renewable energy is the solution to the global energy issue, generated by the increased energy consumption needs under the continuous population growth and economic development. Romania has reached the 2020 target to increase the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in gross final energy consumption to 24%, as set in the energy strategy for 2007-2020 (updated for 2011-2020). However, in view of reaching the new target set for 2030 (32%), a number of measures are envisaged. The authors investigated the dynamics in the share of RES and electricity production over 2014-2017 in relation to the EU 2020 targets, and reviewed the main strategic EU and national documents over the 2007-2020 financial period. The final aim was to identify the investment priorities and measures supporting extended RES use and increase of energy efficiency towards the achievement of the next 2030 EU target in Romania.

Impacts of Photovoltaic Farms on the Environment in the Romanian Plain

“…Solar power in Romania. After joining the EU in 2007, Romania underwent significant changes in the alignment of its energy policy and legislation and promotion of renewable energy, thus becoming attractive for investments [7,30]. As a result, energy efficiency became one of the main EU targets Romania assumed towards a greener economy.…”

“…There are five types of RES in Romania-wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and biomass-whose territorial distribution is related to the main physical-geographic features involved (i.e., relief and climate). The most important solar energy resources are found in the lowlands and low hills in southern and south-eastern Romania, these areas being the Danube Delta, the Dobrogea Plateau, and the Romanian Plain [7]. Solar energy, in the form of solar radiation, is an important source of renewable energy but has been insufficiently exploited so far [31].…”

“…In 2018, hydropower had the highest share (29%), being followed by coal (25%), nuclear (18%), natural gas (15%), wind (10%), photovoltaic (2%), and biomass (1%) ( Figure 1). Solar energy has been included in the energy circuit since 2012 [7]. Delta, the Dobrogea Plateau, and the Romanian Plain [7].…”

“…Solar energy has been included in the energy circuit since 2012 [7]. Delta, the Dobrogea Plateau, and the Romanian Plain [7]. Solar energy, in the form of solar radiation, is an important source of renewable energy but has been insufficiently exploited so far [31].…”

“…In addition to this initiative, the United Nations General Assembly has declared the decade 2014-2024 as the "Decade of Sustainable Energy for All", underscoring the importance of energy issues for sustainable development [4] and encouraging and supporting the extended use of renewable energy resources (RES). As a result, across the European Union (EU), the RES share in gross final energy consumption is expected to increase substantially from 8.1% in 2005 to 20.6% in 2020 [5,6], as set out in the 2009/28/EC Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources [7]. Nevertheless, despite the rapid development of solar power infrastructures and technologies, the European Union market is still in transition and is increasingly oriented to commercial and residential systems that are taking greater advantage of solar power production costs, which are frequently lower than electricity supply prices [8].…”