Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said the European Commission approved last year a state aid scheme for the energy-intensive sector, allowing exemptions from green certificate payments. Under this scheme, businesses with certain specializations will be exempt from 75% to 85% of the costs associated with these green certificates.

“The scheme has a total budget of €150 million per year, and the amendment requested today by the industry is to allow the payment of this support in two tranches each year, instead of a single annual tranche. So, it is still a form of support for big industry, for energy-intensive users. I believe it is a clear expression of the Romanian Government's commitment to supporting industry, especially as our country is preparing to become extremely competitive in the energy sector, both in electricity production, where we have over 17,000-18,000 MW of investments in progress, of which 10,000 MW are in green energy, solar and wind,” said Burduja.

Burduja added that these investments, including the production of gas in the Black Sea, will increase supply and lower energy prices paid by companies and households in the coming years.