Romania's energy transition debate heats up over coal plant closures

Romania coal plant closures decarbonisation law energy crisis restructuring plan

The president of Gorj County Council, Cosmin Popescu, says he has repeatedly asked since 2020 for the restructuring plan of the Complexul Energetic Oltenia, but authorities said the document is confidential while under review by the European Commission. The plan is needed to align the regional Just Transition Territorial Plan with the company's restructuring strategy.

Senator Cristian Resmeriță supported a PSD amendment to the decarbonisation law that would allow a gradual phase‑out of lignite and oil‑fired power plants only after new low‑carbon capacity is installed. Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan warned that missing the coal‑plant closure deadline could trigger penalties from the EU and that the amendment does not solve the problem. The AUR party voted to keep coal‑fired capacities operating, arguing that energy security must not be sacrificed.

Dumitru Chisăliță, president of the Association for Intelligent Energy, called the announced diesel‑price cut a “Black Friday” illusion, saying the reduction merely returns the price to a level it should have had all along. Metrorex issued a statement confirming that metro train services continue according to the approved schedule, despite rumors of cuts linked to the energy crisis.

Entities

Andrei Dîrlău · CFR · Cosmin Popescu · Cristian Resmeriță · Dumitru Chisăliță · Ilie Bolojan · Metrorex · Radu Miruta · Romania

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[DISPUTED] Public transport is considered essential and will not be restricted.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Any energy‑saving measures would be applied only as a last resort.
[DISPUTED] Metrorex stated that metro train circulation continues according to the approved schedule. b365.ro
[DISPUTED] Rumours suggested a possible reduction of metro trains due to the energy crisis. b365.ro
[DISPUTED] Interim Transport Minister Radu Miruță said Metrorex and CFR are exempt from the energy‑consumption reduction plan.
[● 2 SOURCES] Romania is facing an energy crisis that affects major consumers. b365.ro
[○ 1 SOURCE] Metrorex is one of the largest electricity consumers in the country. b365.ro
[○ 1 SOURCE] Large energy consumers will be notified 24 hours before any consumption limit is imposed.