The high taxes for green power, green certificates and cogeneration seriously hinder the competitiveness of the Romanian steel industry, steelmakers’ representatives told Gerea.
The meeting was attended by representatives of ArcelorMittal, Alro Slatina, Tenaris Silcotub Zalau, the Romanian Steelmakers Union and the Romanian Metallurgy Association.
The head of the country’s energy watchdog ANRE Niculae Havrilet said Monday that Romania could complete its natural gas deregulation program for industrial consumers several months before the October 2014 deadline agreed with the IMF.
Under a multi-billion euro deal with the IMF and the European Union, Romania has agreed to deregulate gas and electricity prices and align them to European levels.
Last year, steelmakers complained several times over the excessive state support for green power, which triggers a higher electricity price, leading to the government’s decision to reduce the support scheme.