Martin Zmelik, CEO CEZ Romania unveils the approach to energy efficiency and the challenges of a liberalized market

What are in your opinion the main current challenges in implementing the efficiency programs in Romania?

For us, the main challenges in implementing the efficiency programs were related mainly to the legislation provisions: on one hand we were pending on them, on the other we had to explain them to our potential partners. 

But we surpassed the challenge and managed to perform in this area also. Our commitment for a long-term partnership to the municipalities took the shape of ESCO services resulting in public lightning cost optimization, energetic audit and management for long term sustainable savings.

OMV Petrom, the largest oil and gas producer in South-Eastern Europe and Mazarine Energy Romania S.R.L., a fully owned Romanian subsidiary of Mazarine Energy announce that parties have reached agreement on the transfer of 19 onshore oil fields plus three workover rigs and associated crews to Mazarine Energy Romania S.R.L. for an undisclosed purchase price.

Romania's energy security and strengthening US investment in the Romanian energy sector were the main topics of discussion in the framework of the fifth meeting of the Task Force for the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Romania - US. "We have a common interest in supporting BRUA pipeline construction, for which Romania has already achieved important European financing, or interconnection with Moldova for natural gas. 

Telecom operator RCS&RDS is the new energy supplier of the Romanian Television (SRTv), whereas CEZ is going to supply for Dacia Renault plant, the biggest company in Romania.

RCS&RDS has won the bidding against Electrica, Industrial Energy, Elsaco and Enel Energie Muntenia. The contract period is one year, until July 2017, and RCS&RDS is going to charge 2.2 million RON (approx 490 000 EURO) without VAT, for delivering 6.842 MW (medium tension) to the headquarter in Bucharest, and 52.5 MW (low and medium tension) to the studios in Targu Mures, Cluj, Iasi, Craiova, and three more.

After 4 years of insolvency, the Bucharest Court decided on the 21st of June that hydro power producer Hidroelectrica can exit insolvency.

Since 2012, Hidroelectrica has faced two insolvency procedures (2012-2013 and February 2014 – to date). During this years the company returned loans to banks and cancelled 11 onerous bilateral contracts worth 1.1 billion euro with several energy traders and final consumers: Energy Holding, Alpiq Romindustries, Alpiq Romenergie, Energy Financing Team, Alro Slatina, ArcelorMittal Galati, Electromagnetica, Electrocarbon, Euro-Pec, Elsid, Luxten.