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THE PHASE-OUT OF ROMANIAN COAL MINING AND ENERGY POVERTY

Cristian Tomescu, Ion Gherghe, Florin Radoi, Marius Morar, Sorina Stanila

Abstract

One of the most complex structural transformation processes currently unfolding in Europe is the phase-out of coal mining and coal-fired power generation. This transition is embedded within the broader framework of international and European climate commitments and the ongoing energy transition, particularly under the environmental policies promoted by the European Union and the European Green Deal. The process entails profound economic, social, technical, and geopolitical implications, especially for single-industry regions historically dependent on coal extraction and combustion. At the same time, the reduction or elimination of coal-fired generation capacity raises the issue of energy poverty, particularly in countries where household incomes are low and energy infrastructure is outdated. The energy transition towards intermittent renewable sources (wind, solar) requires investments in storage capacity, smart grids, and balancing power plants (typically gas-fired). However, the costs of this transition generate prices that are difficult for the final consumer to afford, and a significant proportion of the population experiences energy poverty in two dimensions: lack of access to adequate cooling during summer and insufficient heating during winter. In Romania, the closure of hard coal mines in the Jiu Valley and the restructuring of lignite-based energy complexes in Oltenia are directly influenced by these policies. The restructuring plans provide for the phased shutdown of inefficient capacities and their replacement with less polluting sources, such as natural gas and renewable energy. An analysis of the consequences of the adopted energy policy and of the social vulnerability that generates energy poverty is presented in this paper.

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