Crossroads in the Past 23Years History of the Romanian Energy System

Determinant factors of the Romanian energy systems’ transformation processes include both positive and negative ones. The former refer to European integration, creation of the Single Energy Market, the important number of clients/consumers, the energy systems’ performances - the first economic structure integrated with the European ones -, the existing primary energy resources etc. The latter include the lack of a coherent domestic industrial policy and the vulnerability of decision makers facing external pressures. The Romanian electricity generation structure has modified during the last 23 years. The main coordinates comprise: a continuous reduction, nearly to extinction, of the main generation company's share of the electricity market; atomization of the generation sector; privatization of five from eight existing distribution companies; creation of the supply segment; and, last but not least, the electricity price liberalization. The paper analyses some of the contradictory tendencies in over 20 year late history of the Romanian energy system and draws a series of possible measures to implement in order to counteract the negative results.