Romania extends energy crisis regime and delays Turceni plant closure

The Romanian government has extended the energy sector crisis regime until September 30, 2026. This decision is driven by a severe hydrological deficit on the Danube, which has prevented the restart of at least one reactor at the Cernavodă nuclear power plant. Additionally, officials cited forecasts of high temperatures, increased peak-hour electricity consumption, and reduced production from wind and solar sources as contributing factors.

To stabilize the system, the government has decided to delay the decommissioning of certain lignite-based energy capacities. Specifically, Group 5 at the Turceni Thermal Power Plant will remain operational until the end of the first quarter of 2028, despite previous plans to withdraw it under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

In related financial developments, Complexul Energetic Oltenia is seeking to secure approximately 120 million euros to cover its 2025 environmental obligations. The company is initiating a procedure to borrow up to 1.5 million CO2 emission certificates, using cash and future electricity sales as collateral to meet its obligations by the September 2026 deadline.