Greenpeace Praises Romania’s New Energy Communities Legislation
Global environmental NGO Greenpeace welcomed Romania's adoption of a new normative act on November 6, establishing a legislative framework for citizens, municipalities, NGOs, and small businesses to collaboratively produce, manage, and consume renewable energy.
Legislative Framework After Long Wait
The framework was introduced "after nearly three years of waiting and requests from local authorities and civil society," Greenpeace stated. It addresses previous gaps in Romanian law that hindered local energy initiatives.
"The act corrects the transposition gaps of EU Directive 2018/2001, which had left an incomplete and non-functional framework for local initiatives. The lack of clear definitions and procedures had blocked the formation of energy communities, leaving Romania among the last European states without a functional legal basis for citizen involvement in the energy transition."
Key Features of the New Framework
- Allows energy communities to install and manage local renewable energy sources
- Facilitates sharing of produced energy within the community
- Ensures economic benefits remain local
- Defines how energy communities can be created and operated
- Sets rules for energy exchange among community members
- Supports active involvement of citizens, municipalities, and local enterprises in the energy transition
"This will create jobs, increase social inclusion, and reduce energy poverty," Greenpeace said.
Author’s Summary
Romania’s new law empowers local communities to actively participate in renewable energy production, fostering social inclusion and economic benefits while advancing the energy transition.