Rovinari power plant, part of Complex Energetic Oltenia, closed one of its energy groups on Wednesday night because of the lack of coal, as miners from the company’s extraction division continue their strike.
Other two of the four energy groups in Rovinari could be stopped Thursday, according to company’s officials, quoted by the local press.
CE Oltenia counts for more than 20% of Romania’s electricity production and, as a result of the crisis situation at this producer, energy imports maintained Thursday morning at maximum levels of more 1,440 MW, Thursday at 09.18, namely over 16% of the consumption.
And the meteorological context is favourable, with relatively high temperatures that do not require too much consumption (below 9,000 MW).
Energy price – compared to states in the region
The electricity price increased up to the maximum level of the last two years, 650 RON/MWh on the Bucharest spot market with Thursday delivery, according to data of OPCOM energy exchange market.
The average price for the whole day is EUR 108/MWh, up 21% over the previous day and well above those in the countries to which Romania is interconnected: the Czech Republic (EUR 47), Slovakia (EUR 51) and Hungary (EUR 91), according to e-nergia.
Miners who supply Oltenia thermal power plants with coal are still on strike.
Energy Minister Anton Anton left to CE Oltenia on Thursday morning after a meeting held on Wednesday with Prime Minister Viorica Dancila and the Economy Minister ended unsuccessfully.
The company has little resources to meet miners’ demands, especially after the Government imposed a 2% tax on energy companies’ turnover through OUG 114/2018.
Miners’ complaints
The strike started on Friday in one of the company’s 10 lignite quarries, as miners are unhappy with the low wages, working conditions, and the work equipment shortage.
Many miners have salaries below RON 2,000, are transferred to the workplace in unopened trucks, have no proper working conditions or materials for obsolete equipment, according to trade unionists quoted by Ziare.com.
Moreover, the workforce shortage that existing employees have to compensate is about 3,100 employees.
On Monday, the company’s management made the proposition to miners of a 10-12% wage increase as 45% is considered too much.
Miners did not accept the company’s proposals and continue the strike despite the fact that on Wednesday, Gorj Court Law declared the strike illegal after it dismissed on Tuesday the company’s request to suspend the protest.
Information currently being updated.
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