Romanians use less energy

The electricity consumption of households and businesses decreased in Romania in 2022.

Ştefan Stoica, 17.01.2023, 13:50

In a complicated year like 2022, when electricity and gas prices exploded, forcing the government to cap energy bills, energy consumption decreased. According to the National Institute for Statistics, in the first 11 months of last year, the decrease stood at 6% in the economic sector and at over 9% among the population. Economic analyst Constantin Rudniţchi commented on these figures for the public station:

“We must note a drop in consumption at all levels, the population, businesses and local authorities. We dont yet have a very clear picture, but the high prices probably played a big role, and therefore many users, whether private persons or companies, kept their consumption levels in check so as not pay very high bills which they couldnt afford. In fact, support schemes were designed to this end, at least those intended for private users, including establishing a ceiling under which a lower tariff is charged.”

On the other hand, Rudniţchi sees it as a good sign that Romania recorded economic growth while using less energy. New data are expected to show if the reduction in energy consumption is the result of a more efficient use of energy or economic slowdown, the analyst also said. Romanias output of hydro power dropped by almost 20%, with that of thermal and nuclear power also dropping. The amount of wind and solar generated electricity increased, however, last year, which is a good thing, says Constantin Rudniţchi. Not the same can be said about Romanias dependency on hydro power stations, whose output was affected last year by the drought. Constantin Rudniţchi:

“We can see that we have a balanced mix, an increase in renewable energy used in the economy, which is a good thing. We also still have coal, hydrocarbon and natural gas production, while hydro based production decreased because of the drought. Hydro power stations struggled, especially that on the Danube, and this must be a signal that we are still dependent on drought, a phenomenon which also affects energy production.”

The data about primary energy sources show that a considerable amount is still imported, contrary to the myth, as Rudniţchi put it, of Romanias energy independence, when the country is in fact still dependent on the foreign market in this regard. (CM)