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IER study: energy studies in Romania represent a third of the primary resources consumption
In Romania, energy lossses are, on average, 30 – 35% of the primary resources consumption, according to a study regarding the energy security of Romania, drawn up by the European Institute in Romania, (IER). The greatest losses, almost 50%, are recorded by buildings, and 40% transport. The inefficient energy consumption is demonstrated by the fact that Romania records a very high electricity intensity, almost four times higher than the EU average. Practically, for the production of 1,000 euro GDP, there is a fourt time higher consumption of energy resources than in the EU. These losses are made under the conditions where resources are extremely limited. Under the conditions of present consumption, oil and gas will disappear in the next 14-15 years and coal in the next 40 – 50 years. Coal is the main fuel available for electricity in thermal power stations, with a contribution of 50%, the rest being covred by hydro power, nuclear and renewable resources. But when the coal resources are disappearing, Romania will have to use imports. “ In general terms, Romania is a rich country in poor resources, expensive and for a short period of time” the study shows.
Only 100 buildings out of 65,000 have been thermally rehabilitated
A priority in the national strategy should be the reduction of losses, Aureliu Leca considered, specialist in the domain of energy. He criticized the fact that when drawing up the strategy, the authorities find the production part without taking into consideration consumption. Leca gave the example of the EU states where thermal rehabilitations were made which led to the reduction of consumption by 60-65%. In Romania, there were only 100 building which were rehabilitates out of 65,000.
Under these conditions “ the priority of the energy strategy of Romania must become the limitation of climatic changes, of costs and other negative effects of those on the society and the environment, through the use of clean energy, mainly renewable and through the promotion of energy efficiency” the study shows. As regards renewable energy, with the exception of hydro and biomass energy, the objectives established through the National Strategy of Renewable Resources Value for the putting to value of such resources as solar, wind and geothermal energy are overevaluated, Silviu Negut, the coordinator of the study said. On the other hand, with the exception of biofuel, in Romania there are no specific stimulants for the development of renewable sources. For biofuel fabrication, the cultivation of rape or sugar beetroot will reprent, for a short time, a good business for farmers. Romania has a potential for resources for biofuel, in order to cover up to 8% of the European necessary. The use of renewable resources of energy brings controversy. For example, the use of biomass could lead to the diminution of agricultural land for food. At the same time, nuclear energy is rejected in half of the EU countries.