WIND ENERGY IN THE EU: HOW DOES ROMANIA FARE?

Abstract

On a global scale, renewable energy is the world’s fastest-growing energy source. The contribution of wind energy, in particular, has increased rapidly over the past decade. The European Union (EU) specifically is a forerunner in the field of wind energy. However, low demand growth for electricity and a difficult economic situation raise doubts about the efficiency of future investments. To many observers outside the electricity industry, wind looks extremely attractive. Yet, despite the apparent “free” nature of the source, wind is still very expensive, primarily due to the high investment costs relative to the electricity generated. The main aim of this paper is to investigate how does Romania’s energy sector fare compared to other EU member states, with a focus on wind energy. The analysis reveals a fairly balanced energy mix and a high independence of the country in terms of imports. However, Romania suffers from a weak coordination between the different public bodies, especially in areas such as environmental protection and energy efficiency. There is also a clash of interests between wind energy producers and traditional producers. Based on the results of the analysis of the wind energy sector in Romania, a series of recommendations for policymakers are formulated.

Keywords

• Wind Energy
• Renewable Energy
• Energy Policy
• Romania
• European Union