American expert Edward Chow: Romania's energy security depends on several short, medium and long term solutions

Romania could secure itself in terms of energy by improving energy efficiency, building a liquefied gas terminal and planning major long term projects, American expert at the Center for International Strategic Studies in Washington DC, Edward Chow declared in a press conference organized by the Romanian Foreign Affairs ministry.

He added that Romania seems to struggle still, to find a good model regarding the configuration of the internal energy market and system. He explained that the goal is high due to the complexity of the problems because it is a sector which needs long term planning.

Even though Chow admitted that he does not know much about Romania in specific, he reckons that its energy sector needs several short, medium and long term solutions. He explained that governments play a vital role and they should put forward projects that target energy efficiency and inter-connectivity with other states in the region.

When it comes to medium term plans, Chow declared that these strategies are most costly and presume an implementation plan of somewhere between 3 to 5 years. A liquefied gas terminal, like the one in Constanta, South East Romania could be an example, he added, for attracting more investors. On a longer term, Chow offers the Nabucco project as a good example.

Chow confessed that he was shocked when he discovered the prices Romania pays for gas imports, especially compared to Bulgaria. In his opinion, the price is determined on political grounds.

At a European level, Chow explained that as long as the European states fail to cooperate in a functional regional market, the gas producer will continue to obtain a maximum of profits based on its own interests, oftentimes in the detriment of member states.