The Government of Romania will define by government ordinance the categories of industrial consumers that can be disconnected from the power grid by the power system operator Transnselectrica, with 24 hours' notice, in case the energy resources do not cover the projected consumption, according to News.ro.

At this moment, such a situation is not likely as long as Nuclearelectrica keeps one of its two reactors, but the company announced this may last some five days unless the ongoing works on the Danube improve its water resources.

PM Ilie Bolojan stressed that residential consumption will not be impacted.

"I emphasize that residential consumers will not be limited or disconnected, so household consumers are exempt from these measures. Likewise, consumers whose activity cannot be interrupted, such as hospitals, sanatoriums, stations that supply gas, crude oil, will not be subject to this regulation. Once it is adopted, it will be published and the Transelectrica dispatch center, depending on market data and the possible situation that may arise, will make a notification 24 hours in advance," acting PM Bolojan explained.

"We are in a situation where, currently, we have no problems that force us to take such measures, but the adoption of these decisions prepares us for a possible situation that we may have in the coming period," he added.

The categories of consumers to be disconnected will be specifically defined in the most neutral way.

“There are several hundred consumers, in clearly defined industries [that will be targeted]. It is known how much each one can reduce consumption, and there is a continuous dialogue with these industries so that each one does what they can do. [...] No one in particular will be selected, but the measures will be taken based on data, if we are forced to take measures."

PM Bolojan says he does not "see an imminent" scenario in which some large consumers would be disconnected from the energy supply system.

"We do not want this scenario; I do not see it as imminent, but given the responsibility we have, we must think not about the good things, but about those that are not very good, but this problem is not currently being addressed; we are not in this situation," the PM said.

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iulian@romania-insider.com