Oltenia Energy Complex restructuring plan for 2021-2025 and prospects for 2030

Priority question for written answer  P-002278/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Marian-Jean Marinescu (PPE)

On 4 December 2020, the Romanian Government submitted to the European Commission the Oltenia Energy Complex restructuring plan 2021-2025 and prospects for 2030. On 5 February, the Commission initiated an in-depth assessment of the measures proposed by the Romanian authorities.

The restructuring plan is essential for the stability and economic development of Oltenia, one of the poorest regions in the EU.

Depending on the Commission’s response, the Romanian Government will need to decide what action to take to secure power supplies from Oltenia, amounting to around 30% of total Romanian production, how to manage the social fallout from around 14 000 job losses directly resulting (of which 7 000 will have occurred by 2025) and 50 000 indirectly arising from this.

In addition, EU-funded projects to be carried out under the 2021-2027 PNRR programme, the Operational Programmes and the JTF programme are currently being adopted. Projects for the Oltenia Region and hence EU funding for the region will depend on the Commission response to the Oltenia Energy Complex restructuring plan.

Given the highly complex and difficult social and economic situation of the Oltenia region and the decisive role played by Oltenia Energy Complex, can the Commission say when it will reply to the Romanian Government regarding the restructuring plan?