“We have a state aid scheme for desulphurization. Last week, the European Commission told us the scheme cannot be approved, so we should forget about this money, even though the Government approved the scheme in 2008. The only justification offered was: «We have doubts»,” Sandulescu told a news conference.
As such, desulphurization projects in multiple thermal power producers are blocked.
“The deadlines for compliance with the environment requirements are the same, included in (the treaty enabling Romania’s accession to the EU). The European Commission has proposed an alternative solution, namely a different aid scheme, on the environment side. However, this would mean very little money, practically nothing,” Sandulescu added.
The European Commission has imposed deadlines, starting 2013, for the reduction of pollution caused by thermal power plants. Should the deadlines be breached, the units in question face shutdown.