PM Bolojan: Romania now has a realistic PNRR that supports economy and local communities

The European Commission approved the revised version of Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), worth a total of 21.4 billion euro, Prime Minister and President of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Ilie Bolojan announced on Wednesday, adding that Romania now has a realistic PNRR, which supports economy and local communities. "Today, the European Commission approved the revised version of Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan. After the approved update, Romania's PNRR has a total value of 21.4 billion euro, of which 13.57 billion euro are non-reimbursable funds and 7.84 billion euro are favorable loans. These funds will be directed towards investments in infrastructure, hospitals, digitalisation, green energy and the modernisation of administration," PM Bolojan wrote on his Facebook page. He mentioned that, through this approval, Romania has secured the continued operation of coal-fired power plants in the counties of Gorj (Rovinari and Turceni) and Hunedoara (Valea Jiului), as well as those in Craiova and Ramnicu Valcea (Govora). "Three energy groups will remain active until the end of 2029, and another two, at least until the end of August 2026. This decision ensures the stability of the national energy system, eliminates the risk of power and heating supply disruptions and maintains over 4,500 jobs in these areas. At the same time, Romania continues its energy transition through investments in gas-fired plants, photovoltaic parks and storage capacities," the prime minister underscored. Ilie Bolojan explained that the revision was necessary as some of the conditions (milestones) and deadlines assumed by Romania had to be renegotiated, since, unfortunately, they had not been met. "Moreover, the amounts which were allocated as loans could no longer be accessed after next year. Under these circumstances, we prioritize maintaining some realistic milestones and deadlines, and fully retain non-reimbursable funds of 13.5 billion euros, in view of ensuring funds for investments," the prime minister added. According to him, one of the most important milestones was decarbonisation. "We committed to closing the coal-fired power plants by the end of this year, with the aim of replacing them with gas-fired plants or photovoltaic parks. Unfortunately, the replacement investments have not been completed and, therefore, without the granted postponement, apart from the social aspects in those areas, we would not have had the assurance of securing the energy production necessary to Romania," Bolojan mentioned. Moreover, the head of the Government highlighted that "this agreement represents an important step for regaining credibility of European partners." "The negotiated deadlines and conditions must be observed by the Government, ministries and local authorities in order to avoid losing the European grants allocated to Romania. This is also a way of respecting the country's citizens. Romania now has a realistic Recovery and Resilience Plan that supports the economy and local communities, bringing direct benefits to the citizens through simplified rules and sustained investments in hospitals, infrastructure, green energy and digitalisation. I thank everyone involved in these negotiations for their work over the past months. It was a tough negotiation, but conducted with professionalism and solid arguments, resulting in a positive outcome for Romania," Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also conveyed.

PM Bolojan: Romania now has a realistic PNRR that supports economy and local communities

CITEȘTE ȘI / PE ACEEAȘI TEMĂ