Household energy storage is hot in Romania

BUCHAREST, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Romanian natural gas storage facilities have been filled above a targeted 80% capacity and could reach 90% by Nov. 1, deputy Energy Minister Dan Dragan said on Monday. Unlike other countries in the region, Romania relies less on Russian gas.

In Romania, the amount of gas in storage has fallen to 63% in just one and a half months, with more than a third of the gas in storage being consumed, a steeper fall than the European average, according to Gas Infrastructure Europe. On January 8, 2025, the filling rate of storage facilities in Romania was 61.74%.

Romania's energy sector is key to its evolving economy and security policy. It has a diverse energy mix, including coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, and renewable sources. The largest share of electricity production historically came from coal and natural gas, followed by hydroelectric and nuclear power.

Regional implications Romania is at risk of maintaining its top position in terms of high energy prices, which could affect the competitiveness of industry and the population's purchasing power.

“What Romania has done well in recent years is the investment in the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline, which has a transmission capacity of over 6 million cubic meters, which fully covers the natural gas consumption between the Prut and the Dniester,” Sebastian Burduja also mentioned. Medium-term implications

Although Romania benefits from significant renewable resources, the transition to a greener energy mix remains incomplete. Dependence on natural gas and the difficulties of integrating renewable generation into the national grid remain challenges.