The Senate voted to cancel the closure of coal-fired power plants, adopting amendments that allow for their reopening / Ilie Bolojan warns about penalties from the EU

In a Senate meeting, on Tuesday, the vote was held to cancel the closure of coal-fired power plants, according to the decarbonization schedule assumed by Romania. Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan emphasized that, although the plants cannot be closed without alternative energy sources, the legislative changes will attract financial penalties from the European Commission, considering that Romania has already declared this milestone from the PNRR as fulfilled.

The project was adopted with 73 votes 'for', 42 'abstentions' and 8 absentees, including amendments that stop the closure of functional plants and allow the reopening of those that have been closed. PSD senators accused the liberals of negligence in replacing the power plants, while USR and AUR senators criticized the amendments, arguing that they risk compromising European funds. The bill is essential for unlocking the payment request from the PNRR, but it generates controversies and political disputes.