Verbund´s position in the energy future
Growing demand for power leads to a growing need for investments in power plants and modernization (efficiency).
The government wants to expand the share of renewables in the national electricity consumption up to 38 % by 2020 (in 2008: 20,4 %). With the engagement of the company in Romania we contribute to an achievement of the national renewable target. With the recently launched wind park at Casimcea in South Eastern Romania, the company switched on half of the total planned production of 225 MW, powered by 88 wind tourbines. By 2016, at Casimcea, some 280 MW are planned to be achieved. The wind energy in Sounth-Eastern Romania has a large development potential while Dobruja area is one of the most welcoming area for these kind of projects in Europe.
But there are not only national targets to fulfill, but also European targets – and the European Union has given us a lot of very ambitious ones. Only if we rebuild the energy system together it will be possible to reach these targets in time and to build a safer and more sustainable energy future.
Supporting the EU targets
Reaching these targets should go hand in hand with providing a secure energy supply for our customers and our society also in the future. Especially for the “Energiewende” we need appropriate framework conditions to fulfill the targets in time.
- an energy system based on renewable energy
- with low greenhouse gas-emissions and more energy efficiency
And that´s why we need to find answers for the following questions:
How secure is our energy supply?
The energy supply has become more insecure due to more volatile and less predictable energy production, such as wind and solar power. Therefore we need sufficient reliable and flexible production as well as strong and adequate grid networks for system stability.
How much market do we need? How much regulation and what kind of regulation?
A growing share of the energy production is outside of the competitive market – but this share has a very high impact on the market. Wrong or missing incentives for investments (CO2 – lignite) – but investments in the grid and efficient power plants are necessary for a renewable energy future. Therefore the process of the “Energiewende” must be more efficient (economic effectiveness vs. state subsidies) to reach the targets in time and to provide affordable energy services. It’s upmost important: electricity has to be affordable for everyone – it cannot become a luxury good.
How many European policies do we need? Are national regulations sufficient to reach the goals of the new energy system?
In this respect, more co-operation is necessary to fulfill the vision of an European energy market. We are on a good way to a sustainable European energy future, if we consider:
• more Europe instead of less Europe.
• a good cooperation within countries and regions is the main basis to rebuild the energy system.
• And here in Romania we have proved that it can work successfully for both.
*Energiewende (German for Energy transition) is the transition by Germany to a sustainable economy by means of renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable development. The final goal is the abolition of coal and other non-renewable energy sources.
