Intermittent energy production puts stability of Romania's power grid at risk

The price of electricity on the balancing market in Romania spiked at RON 16,000 (EUR 3200) per MWh in the morning of July 2, as the production of intermittent generators (wind farms most likely) exceeded initial estimates. Meanwhile, the share of thermal (coal and natural gas-fired) electricity exceeded more than one-third of total production amid subdued output of solar parks and hydropower plants.

The higher reliance on wind and solar energy is putting the stability of Romania's power grid as well as the end-user prices at risk unless more power storage capacities are installed.

Around noon, 15% of the energy production was generated in the coal-fired plants that Romania seeks to close by 2032 at the latest, according to Ziarul Financiar. At the same time, Hidroelectrica's hydropower plants accounted for only 21% of the total (compared to an average of one-third) amid low levels of water in the dams. Transelectrica data show that at the end of June, the filling level of the dams was 83%, lower than 93% at the end of June 2023.

The minister of energy summoned for talks representatives of the market operator (OPCOM) and those of the National Energy Dispatch (DEN) – both departments under the supervision of power grid operator Transelectrica – which recently warned that more power storage capacities are needed as the solar parks and wind farms are increasing their (intermittent) contribution to the power generation mix, Economica.net reported.

The balancing price is paid by producers who generate either more or less than initially estimated and is charged by suppliers of balancing services – typically gas-fired power plants or hydropower plants, which can adjust upwards or downwards their production on short notice, such as to keep the system under control.

Over longer periods, frequent use of the balancing services is surfacing in higher end-user prices.

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