In Romania, the country with the second largest production of natural gas in the EU, more than half of the population is heated in primary heating systems, generally with outdated and inefficient wood-burning stoves, which damage the health of users and pollute the environment. Beyond the problem of the high cost of extending the network, the advisability of which needs to be examined on a case-by-case basis, access to natural gas has major benefits: increased comfort and health for those who now have to use wood or coal, access to the most diversified resources possible, thus contributing to economic development and reducing energy poverty.
A nationwide survey conducted by INSCOP Research in 2019, commissioned by the Energy Policy Group (EPG) under the program "Efficient Romania" supported by the company OMV Petrom, showed that more than four out of ten respondents heat their homes with a stove in winter.
A further 35.7% own their own natural gas central heating, 13.5% use district heating and less than 2% use an electric heating system.
Over three-quarters of those who use stoves are in rural areas.
In terms of geographical distribution, the highest percentages (above 50% or even 60% of these respondents) are in the South-West Oltenia, South Muntenia and North-East regions.
Romanians want to give up wood
The results of the survey support the findings of another study conducted by the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) and supported by the Oil and Gas Employers Federation, entitled "Natural gas opportunity in the residential sector in Romania".
Although published in October 2018, the figures are unlikely to have changed by now. The study shows that many urban areas are still not connected to the gas network, 11% of urban households still heat with woodand SACET district heating systems are in decline.
- In rural areas, "almost 801TPTP4T of the inhabitants heat with wood, in outdated and inefficient stoves, with low combustion and low energy performance and generating pollutant emissions into the atmosphere with harmful effects on human health and the environment".
Beyond this, there is also the issue of wood prices, which are volatile and even prohibitively high in some cases, especially after the tightening of legislation on timber exploitation.
Even though natural gas heating would be more expensive, the comfort, health, safety and environmental benefits are far superior.
The INSCOP survey also shows that Almost seven out of ten users of wood-burning stoves say that sourcing wood for heating or cooking is difficult. Thus, three quarters of those who have a wood-burning stove would change their heating system and 60% of them would choose their own natural gas central heating system. Under 10% would choose an electric system and under 9%, central heating.
Why is electricity still not an option for heating?
"In terms of home heating, the net favourable price of natural gas compared to electricity makes the former much more competitive, even with full price liberalization for end consumers"explains the CSD.
Moreover, a report published by the European Commission in October 2020, entitled "Study on energy prices, costs and their impact on industry and households" ("Study on energy prices, costs and their impact on industry and households"), shows that Bulgaria (6.8%) and Romania (6.7%) have the highest annual electricity bills as a share of average income in the EU..
Even though bills are among the lowest in the EU, incomes are also among the lowest, which explains the situation.
Case study: Vatra Dornei
Access to the natural gas network is important not only for heating homes. Schools, hospitals and businesses also need natural gas.
In some cases, the development of the country's distribution network depends on the development of the transmission network, and Transgaz's investment plan until 2028 includes ambitious works in this respect (details, HERE).
An example of an important investment is the natural gas transportation pipeline DN 250 Pojorâta-Vatra Dornei, declared by the Government as a project of national importance in the field of natural gas, by GD no.465/03.07.2019.
Initially started by the Suceava County Council, the work - difficult also because of the mountainous relief - was not completed and was taken over by Transgaz.
The Government explains why this project is of national importance in the Explanatory Memorandum of the normative act. First of all, Vatra Dornei is a tourist resort of national interest, with numerous tourist attractions, being also the fifth largest urban center of Suceava County, with a population of 16,850 inhabitants.
In the city "there is a sawdust-fired power plant in operation, and there are real problems in supplying thermal energy to the population and economic agents, a situation that is found throughout the mountainous area of Suceava County, but also in neighboring counties, namely Botoșani, Bistrița-Năsăud, Maramureș, Satu Mare, Neamț, Harghita and Mureș", explained the Government.
"The heating plant is morally outdated, technically worn out and with low efficiency, which cannot fully provide heating and domestic hot water for the population, public institutions and economic agents in the municipality in energy-efficient conditions", the institution states.
As for Suceava County, although it is the second largest county in the country, with 114 localities, only 13 administrative-territorial units (ATUs) have natural gas distribution, the remaining 101 ATUs not being connected to the national gas distribution system, says the Background Note.
With regard to the neighboring counties, the situation in 2019 stands as follows:
- Botoșani county: out of 79 localities, 5 households are connected to gas;
- Bistrița Năsăud county: out of 62 localities, 48 households are connected to gas;
- Maramureș county: out of 76 localities, 66 households are connected to gas;
- Satu-Mare county: out of 64 localities, 19 households are connected to gas;
- County Sălaj: out of 61 localities, 9 households are connected to gas.
"By realizing the project, (...) it contributes to economic growth measures and can address a range of social needs in a significant geographical area - the north-eastern part of the country, including education (kindergartens, day-care centers, schools, university campuses that are not connected to gas), health (future regional hospitals, county, municipal and city hospitals, old people's homes and social centers), social protection and jobs. At the same time The project has a direct impact on climate change and environmental protection issues by significantly reducing timber harvesting in the northern part of the country, which is more than two thirds of the national forest area. In Suceava County, out of 741 schools, only 92 schools are connected to gas", says the background note, which you can find here HERE.
"The project responds to the requirements of the strategy, which is citizen-oriented and centered on the confidence that The state serves the needs of every citizen, fairly, efficiently and in a clean environment, in a balanced and integrated manner", adds the Government.
National connection program with €1 billion funding
In fact, the Executive recently approved an emergency ordinance to approve National Program for the connection of the population and non-household consumers to the smart gas distribution network.
Through this program, a total investment of up to one billion euro from European funds and co-financing from the state budget is planned for the 2014-2020 and 2021-2027 programming periods. You can consult the legislative act HERE.
On the other hand, due to the difficult topography, it is clear that not all homes in Romania will be able to be connected to the natural gas network. Where such investments are not justified, other sustainable heating solutions using renewable energy sources will have to be found.
More efficient heating equipment
Beyond the obvious benefits of natural gas heating, the heating equipment industry is not slowing down, with increasingly efficient technologies making inroads in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Hybrid heaters - for homes - or mini-CHP (combined heat and power) or gas-fired heat pumps - for the commercial sector - are expected to play an increasingly important role.
