Romania Power Output Seen At 88.5 TWh In 2035

04.21.2011 By Florentina Dragu

Romanian power output is estimated to grow 66% to 88.5 TWh by 2035, from 54.7 TWh in 2010, with most of the energy coming from nuclear and wind plants, according to a draft action plan from the Economy Ministry.

Romanian power output is estimated to grow 66% to 88.5 TWh by 2035, from 54.7 TWh in 2010, with most of the energy coming from nuclear and wind plants, according to a draft action plan from the Economy Ministry.

The document includes a series of measures and projections for the energy sector over the 2011-2035 interval.

Romania's power output is forecast at 23,800 MW in 2035, from 20,400 MW in 2010, the ministry said in the document.

It said thermal energy output will drop to 17% of the total production by 2035, from nearly 50% currently.

Renewable energy output is estimated to reach 41% of overall production in 2035, while the reminder 42% will be generated in nuclear power plants.

In 2009, Romanian renewable energy output, mostly from hydro-plants, reached 29% of the total production.

The ministry estimates total wind power capacity will increase to 5,000 MW in 2035, while photovoltaic and biomass capacity is estimated to exceed 1,000 MW.

Nuclear power capacity is predicted at over 5,000 MW, up from 1,413 MW in 2010.

On the other hand, Romania's natural gas and oil resources will likely deplete in approximately 15 years, the ministry said in the draft document. Brown coal reserves are predicted to last another 47 years from now on, while hard coal reserves are enough for over 200 years.

The ministry estimates total investments to decommission obsolete power plants and build new ones will reach between EUR30 billion and EUR40 billion by 2035, while investments for renewable energy plants will reach EUR9 billion.