Investments in renewable energy could reach around 7-10 billion euros in the next ten years, which would amount to "planting" around 2,400 wind turbines, according to calculations made by the French Embassy in Bucharest. The only condition is to have the legislative framework ready.

The French are not the only ones to advocate in favour of the enforcement of Law 220/2008, which sets out the support scheme for renewable energy. Private investors, law firms and the Foreign Investors Council in turn are pressing the state to accelerate the enforcement of a legislative document that has failed to produce effects for the last three years because it lacks approval from the European Commission.

One of the main issues raised by the Romanian authorities is related to the costs of the subsidies that support clean energy, which will ultimately be borne by all consumers. For instance, data from the ANRE (Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority) show that last year around 0.67 TWh of green energy was produced, which accounts for around 1% of domestic consumption, with over 690,000 green certificates being issued. Last year alone, the overall subsidies amounted to over 38 million euros, amid a price of 55 euros per certificate. However, for 2011, if the law comes into force on July 1st, these subsidies granted to investors in the form of green certificates will amount to 196 million euros, with consumption of green energy to account for around 5% of the total.

Investments in renewable energy could reach around 7-10 billion euros in the next ten years, which would amount to "planting" around 2,400 wind turbines, according to calculations made by the French Embassy in Bucharest. The only condition is to have the legislative framework ready.

The French are not the only ones to advocate in favour of the enforcement of Law 220/2008, which sets out the suppor