ROMANIA: National Energy Companies Could be Grinding Uselessly Until 2012

The two national energy companies that the state plans to create by merging several energy production assets will become operational in 2010, Mediafax informs. Nevertheless, by 2012 they could be ‘grinding uselessly,’ Tudor Serban, secretary of state within the Economy Ministry, stated yesterday. ‘The two companies will be operational on January 1, 2010 but they could be grinding uselessly until 2012,’ Serban stated during an energy conference. The companies are interested in taking over a part of the 51 per cent participation that Nuclearelectrica owns within EnergoNuclear, the mixed company that will build the Cernavoda nuclear power plant’s reactors number 3 and 4, Mihai David, Hidroelectrica’s general director, stated.

The Government considers restructuring the electricity production sector by creating two national companies that would include several assets from all relevant companies. As part of this restructuring the authorities are also considering stimulating the private companies in order for them to become involved in energy production. Referring to the reorganization of the energy system, Serban claims that Romania has to overcome its prejudices and to think about the society’s well-being and not about what one company or another and the labor unions want. He added that Romania has to try not to hike the price of electricity even though the consumption slump is causing difficulties and price hikes are expected.

by Ana Stanciulescu
Source: Nine o'Clock