* We need an improvement in the law concerning private-public partnerships
The bonus schemes for investments in the generation of thermal and electrical energy using high efficiency cogeneration, became functional this year. All consumers pay a tax for supporting these investments in efficient, low pollution technologies. However, in order for investments in this segment to grow, there is also a need for a law concerning private-public partnerships, said Carmen Neagu, the head of GE Energy for Romania, Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova.
She explained: "Romania has structures which were created for supplying cities with thermal energy, except that, especially on the generation side, they are old, oversized and are extremely inefficient. The Thermal Electrical Power Plants are accumulating large debts due to the delays in receiving their subsidies from the state and from the local administrations, as well as in collecting payment from their consumers. In theory, this market segment has a high potential when it comes to implementing the new cogeneration technologies, but investors aren"t exactly rushing in with offers. The main problem is the confidence of investors in the ability of the local authorities to recoup their money. Most mayoralties don"t have the necessary expertise nor the means to implement mechanisms that would help develop a modern foundation for the public centralized heating system".
Carmen Neagu considers that the law on public-private partnerships should welcome investors by offering the regulatory framework needed for the privatization of centralized systems for generating thermal energy, in order to allow investors to make sure they can recoup their investment.
* Romania has the highest potential in the region when it comes to renewable energy
Mrs. Neagu also said she hoped that the changes to the Law no 220
