Public policies to support the development of renewable energy in Romania: A review
The aim of this study is to review the public policies used to support the development of renewable energy in Romania over the past ten years. Romania assumed a target of 24% share of renewable energy in consumption in 2020, higher than the average target of the European Union, and this target has already been reached in the beginning of 2014, as a result of the public policies implemented. Therefore, this study examines firstly the support schemes for the development of renewable energy in the European Union, underlining the arguments to support the renewable energy, as well as the main barriers for its development. Secondly, this study analyses the renewable energy sector in Romania in terms of theoretical and economic potential, production and consumption of renewable energy, and legislation related to the renewable energy. Thirdly, this study discloses the main issues of the public renewable energy policy in Romania, starting with an overview of the tradable green certificates system, and revealing the changes of the Romanian support scheme and the possible effects of the policy changes. The results of the present study may be useful for further research regarding public policies for the development of renewable energy projects.