RSS
ANRE to regulate the coming on the market of the wind energy producers
The development over the last years of wind power stations started to produce discontent on the energy market of Romania. Both the representatives of the units of energy from classical sources as well as those of the national operation of transport “Transelectrica’ accuse the lack of clear regulations for the coming on the market of wind energy production, fact which could lead to powerful imbalance in the energy systems. “ There are problems and that is why we ask for the support of the ANRE to discipline them (…)Now, the surplus on renewable power stations must be downloaded through difficult regulations. We need a special wind department to follow them constantly” Octavian Lohan, general manager of Transelectrica said, in a conference organised by Ziarul Financiar.
According to him, until the end of 2013, the production units for wind energy will overpass the installed power of 3,000 MW, the limit which the national grid could support.
Present at the conference, Constantin Balasoiu, manager in the Oltenia complex energetic ( production on coal) said that the producers of classic electricity wish “ a real competition with correct instruments by all participants on the market”. We have to say that, the producers of renewable energy in Romania benefit from one of the most attractive support scheme from the EU, by the existence of green certificates. Balasoiu considered that there could be problems on the market where “ there are bonus schemes for wind producers, together with unlimited access on the market”. Certain provisions of ANRE should be corrected as there will come 3,000 MW on the market. The moment 3,000 MW get on the market when the wind blows, we must wonder about the price on the market” Balasoiu said. According to some sources on the market, the wind energy producers can produce imbalances on the market due to the wind prognosis with high level of error.
Besides these aspects connected to the price, there are problems with the investments which could be made in the national grid to support new production units. Thus, investments are needed in units for energy stockage, as well as power stations with pumps, as well as investments in the transport grid so that it could take over large quantities of energy. Transelectrica has no financial capacity for such investments.
Adrian Borotea, manager for Corporatist Business in CEZ Romania, company which owns a wind park of 600 MW considers that it is necessary to participate together with Transelectrica for investments in the sector, but it does not need to be understood as compulsory for the producers. “ Financially we understand the invitation that Transelectrica offered us, but not as an obligation. I think that the things are not much of imposition but co-participation. Smaller projects of power stations with pumps will be the future”Borotea said. According to him, wind energy is the cheapest option for the consumer of Romania. This moment there are plans for the development of 14,000 MW in wind energy, but “ the reality of the last period showed us that very few of these projects were put into action” the CEZ representative said.
In Romania there are units of energy production with installed power of 22,000 MW.
The legislation supports projects in renewable energies through green certificates which allow the investors to recover investments. Green certificates are offered for electricity produced from renewable sources and delivered to the consumers.
Practically, the renewable energy producers get support under the form of green certificates (CV) depending on the technology they use. But the incentives offered for investments in green energy will be supported by all consumers. The distributors are obliged by law to buy these green certificates which later are found in the price for the end user. The trading of green certificates is independent on the trading of electricity, which is made by market mechanisms, on the market for electricity. By this, the support scheme, the end users support, by the increased price of electricity the covering of supplementary costs of electricity from renewable sources. The price of a green certificate varies between 27 and 55 euro.