EnerMin Visan: Estimated energy consumption for winter of 2018-2019, higher by 2 percent

The estimated energy consumption for the winter of 2018-2019 will be higher by 2 percent as opposed to the previous period (2017-2018), and this is the starting point for the setting up of this year's winter Program, Secretary of State with the Ministry of Energy Doru Visan told a press conference on energy topics, on Monday. 

"The preparation of Romania's Winter Program represents a necessity and has always had positive results. We are among the last countries with this approach, of having a Winter Program and a winter Command centre. There are many who remember the history of this winter program, launched in 1994, during the time of Renel. The organization of the energy system by sources was the worst decision made at that time and we are constantly searching to meet these obligations, in the sense that companies function on other requirements, namely on maximum profit. We must find the measures that will not affect the budget of these companies. The obligation of the Winter Program means the correct dimensioning of consumption and covering it in the energy system's safety conditions. Evaluating consumption is a first step. We have started from the same premise as last year, in which the consumption has a rise of 2 percent for the winter of 2018-2019. The second analysis element is the legality framework, starting from the income and expense budget of each company," Visan said. 

According to the official with the Ministry of Energy, there are enough stock components for the preparation of the 2018-2019 Winter Program. 

He also added that another element in getting the Winter Program ready is represented by the district heating systems, for which at least 1,000 MW are required for optimum functioning. "The energy system has many good people, professionals and the desire is not to put out, but for the light bulb to remain permanently on, in a safe manner though," the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Energy concluded, during the event organized by the Focus Energetic.