Romania’s net electricity imports increased by 82.08% to 135.72 GWh in the week to 20 September, according to market data. The rise coincided with lower variable renewable generation and heavier reliance on cross-border supply.
Renewables, hydropower and demand trends
Romanian wind and solar output fell by 25.9%, while hydropower generation declined by 13.50%. Electricity demand was also lower, down 5.83% to 866.61 GWh. Despite the consumption decline, imports still increased over the same period.
Bulgaria export position and day-ahead price gap
The change widened the difference between Romania and neighbouring Bulgaria in cross-border flows. Bulgaria remained a net exporter of 247.47 GWh, although its export balance fell by 9.90% from the previous week.
Romanian day-ahead power averaged €177.36/MWh, compared with €162.07/MWh in Bulgaria, a premium of about €15/MWh. The figures were associated with potential weekly pricing spreads between the two markets.
Transmission constraints and market pricing context
The presence of a price differential does not guarantee returns from cross-border trading. Available transmission capacity, hourly prices and the cost of securing capacity affect whether a weekly price gap can be captured.
Romania’s weekly average price was nearly unchanged despite the higher import volume. With domestic renewable and hydro output weaker, the volume shift indicated greater reliance on neighbouring systems even as electricity consumption declined.
By Virtu.Energy
