Electricity in Romania in 2023/2024

Over the past 12 months, from September 2023 to August 2024, Romania has relied significantly on low-carbon energy sources for its electricity consumption. More than half (64.4%) of the country's electricity came from clean energy sources, which include hydropower (27.64%), nuclear (19.96%), wind (12.39%), and solar (3.6%). In comparison, fossil fuels accounted for 32.8% of the total electricity, with gas contributing 19.4% and coal 13.4%. Additionally, Romania had minimal reliance on net imports, which stood at 2.8%. This indicates a strong adoption of sustainable energy practices, particularly through hydropower and nuclear energy, which form the backbone of the country's low-carbon electricity generation.

Suggestions

To further increase its share of low-carbon electricity, Romania could expand its successful nuclear and wind energy sectors. By building additional nuclear reactors, Romania could follow the examples of France, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria, where nuclear power constitutes significant portions of the electricity mix (67% in France and over 40% in Slovakia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria). Similarly, Romania can focus on enhancing its wind energy capabilities by taking inspiration from Denmark and Uruguay, where wind power contributes to 61% and 36% of their electricity respectively. Learning from these nations, Romania could also invest in modernizing its grid infrastructure and implementing supportive policies to facilitate the seamless integration of additional nuclear and wind capacity.

History

Looking back, Romania has experienced fluctuating yet progressive changes in low-carbon electricity generation. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, significant increases in hydropower were noted, with an additional 3.6 TWh in 1988 and 3.2 TWh in 1991. However, there were some declines, such as a 2.9 TWh drop in 1992 and a 3.5 TWh reduction due to adverse conditions around 2000. The nuclear sector began to contribute notably in 1997 with an addition of 4 TWh. Subsequent years saw further improvements with additional 3.5 TWh in 2008. The most recent decade, 2010-2020, showcased a mixed trend in hydropower output with both gains (4.4 TWh in 2010) and losses (-4.9 TWh in 2011). Interestingly, 2023 saw another substantial hydro increase of 4.3 TWh but again a decline in the subsequent 2023/2024 period by 3.2 TWh. This historical context underscores the country’s resilience and adaptive strategies in enhancing its sustainable energy landscape.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources