Romania is pressing the European Commission and neighboring EU countries to accelerate the expansion of electricity interconnection capacity. Cristian Busoi, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Energy, said the push is intended to help stabilize energy markets and reduce electricity prices across the region. Busoi coordinates European and international relations for the ministry and described the Romanian position as consistent and ongoing.
According to Busoi, strengthening cross-border energy links is presented as a requirement for EU competitiveness and long-term energy security. He also said the approach is intended to support industrial resilience and improve protection for the region from geopolitical shocks.
Electricity prices and EU industrial competitiveness
Busoi said lowering electricity prices matters for Romanian industry and for the wider European Union. He referred to Mario Draghi’s warning about Europe’s vulnerability amid rising global tensions and the conflict in Ukraine, noting that these pressures affect EU energy markets. Busoi said Draghi’s assessment of EU structural limitations should be treated as a prompt for decision makers in Brussels and national governments.
In Busoi’s account, discussions on competitiveness were linked to reforms aimed at improving how the EU energy system operates. He said Europe needs to act decisively to preserve industrial strength, while addressing constraints affecting the electricity market.
Talks with Mario Draghi on energy market reforms
Busoi discussed how to revive European industrial competitiveness with Mario Draghi in his role as former Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE). The talks covered measures intended to strengthen the EU energy market through more efficient, centralized management of cross-border electricity flows. They also addressed efforts to create a unified regulatory framework aimed at reducing protectionism among member states.
Busoi said the discussions further included scaling up investments in nuclear energy, natural gas infrastructure, renewable energy, and carbon-capture technologies. He added that these proposals align with Romania’s national priorities and are presented as a pathway toward a more resilient and interconnected European energy sector.
Romania’s measures to address high power costs
High electricity prices continue to affect Romanian households and industries, according to Busoi. The Energy Minister has proposed eight measures designed to relieve Romania’s energy burden. Busoi said several of these measures require time, funding, and coordinated action at the European level.
He linked that timeline to Romania’s request that the Commission accelerate interconnection development. Busoi stressed that delays are not acceptable, particularly where solutions involve long-term infrastructure upgrades, adding that faster implementation is needed for affordability and stability in Romania’s national electricity market.
Regional cooperation on crisis price dynamics
One element highlighted by Busoi is a proposal to temporarily decouple high marginal prices during crisis situations. He said this measure has support through ongoing collaboration with Bulgaria and Greece. Busoi added that strengthening this regional alliance would increase Romania’s political weight in Brussels.
He also said coordinated regional positions are considered important for advancing reforms in the EU electricity market. In his description, this is relevant as global demand grows for critical raw materials, green technologies, and secure energy supply.