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The minister of economy: the offshore law may be amended only in the parliament
The acting minister of economy, energy and business environment Virgil Popescu stated on Monday that gas in the Black Sea represents a country topic which should get political consensus and the Offshore law which rose many discussions may be amended only in the parliament.
Present at the forum ‘ The geo-strategic and economic importance of the Black Sea in the present European context’ the minister brought into discussion the European Green Pact and the necessity of natural gas – including from the Black Sea – to achieve these targets.
In Romania, approximately 25% of the energy is produced on coal.
The minister spoke about the national integrated plan for energy and climatic changes, which is under public debate. The target is 30.7% renewable energy. The European average is 32%. ‘ For Romania, it is a realistic target. Romania needs to assume realistic targets which it should lead to achievement. What do we do with coal ? It is a very big problem. We have to use European money. The European transition fund of 750 million euro – to take it where it is needed, in the coal areas, in Valea Jiului, Oltenia, Gorj, Mehedinti, Valcea so the transition be easier’.
He explained that a variant would be to take out of production until 2026 almost 1,350 MW electrical energy produced on coal and replace it with 1,450 MW electricity produced on gas and a solar park in different places. ‘ For this, we need gas, and Romania has onshore and offshore reserves. The gas in the Black Sea represents a country topic which should gather political consensus’.
He added:” If Exxon wants to leave the consortium for exploitation of gas in the Black Sea, I want that Romania be part of this consortium, and the Romgaz Board approved it. There follow negotiations. If the Offshore law is to be amended, this can be done in the parliament only. There should be a unanimously accepted law, so that Romania’s interest be first. There is need, as it is seen, for gas. It is necessary to bring gas in the economic cycle. We need natural gas to achieve this plan, we achieve the Green Deal and obviously, without our gas, in the Black Sea it is hard to rely on import’.
Recently, the minister approved geological drills to place the pipeline in the Midia area. ‘In 2021 -2022 we will have the first gas brought on land’ he added at the meeting on Monday.