Controversy surrounding energy projects
Romanian MPs have voted a bill allowing for the completion of hydropower plants
Bogdan Matei, 24.03.2022, 13:50
Relying on significant resources of oil and fuel, Romania is less dependent on Russian energy imports than other countries, and thus less vulnerable to the whims of the unpredictable Kremlin leadership. Romania has a relatively new nuclear power plant in Cernavodă, with two functioning reactors and another two currently in construction, wind farms, as well as a generous hydrographic network allowing for the building of hydropower plants. The constant fluctuations on global markets however have compelled the political class to come up with new solutions to curb the countrys energy dependence. Parliament on Wednesday adopted a controversial bill allowing for the completion of hydropower plants that many years ago were abandoned in the name of environment protection. They started being built before Romania joined the EU in 2007, when our country pledged to observe the much more rigorous environment standards imposed by Brussels. The final vote was cast in the Chamber of Deputies, where arguments concerning the countrys energy shortage in these times of crisis prevailed over any claims in favor of protecting the environment. The Social-Democrats, the largest parliamentary group who also tabled the bill, claim the new law will allow Romania to capitalize on a significant investment in the abandoned plants. PSD deputy Alfred Simonis:
“In 2000, hydropower plants started being built all across Romania. Our protected natural areas were not mapped out at the time, nor did we have any restrictions from the European Commission. Starting 2003, hundreds of millions of Euro were invested, while later, some smart guys thought to draw the map of protected areas in Romania in their office. We are losing hundreds of millions of Euro, considering we face energy shortages today and we need to boost our purchasing power”.
From the opposition, USR was the only group that opposed the bill, claiming the benefits, once the project is completed, would be minor, whereas the environment will be seriously affected. USR deputy Stelian Ion:
“Its an illusory gain, accounting for merely 0.4% of the countrys total production, but it will destroy a large part of our countrys protected areas. We have alternatives. There are companies willing to invest in wind parks, but the ministries are not doing their job to provide the administrative framework. The damage done to the environment will be irreversible”.
The bill has been submitted to president Klaus Iohannis for ratification. (VP)
