Romania imported more electricity than it exported in 2019, according to data released by the statistics office INS.

Electricity imports increased by 74% compared to 2018, to 5.11 TWh, while the exports decreased by 34% to 3.59 TWh, resulting in a negative balance of 1.51 TWh.

Essentially, the balance turned from surplus in 2018 to deficit in 2019 because of 7.8% weaker domestic production, or a decline of 5 TWh of electricity delivered by local power plants in absolute terms.

The decline was due to adverse natural conditions resulting in 2.2 TWh smaller output for hydropower plants (-12.2%), and smaller production in thermal power plants (-3.0 TWh, or -11.2%).

The net electricity production (gross production less technological consumption) thus reached 53.8 TWh. Meanwhile, the final consumption was 55.3 TWh, down by 1% compared to 2018.

The local economy used 2.86 TWh (or 6.7%) less electricity, or about 42.3 TWh in total. Meanwhile, the population’s consumption increased by 2.22 TWh (or 22%), to 12.4 TWh.

(Photo: Pexels)

editor@romania-insider.com