ELECTRIC ENERGY MARKET IN THE EUROPEAN UNION - CHALLANGES AND PERSPECTIVES

In the energy sector, each type of fuel used has a number of advantages and disadvantages. The high degree of pollution of power plants based on coal, seasonal instability of hydropower, low efficiency of wind power and environmental disasters that could be caused by nuclear plants has led to sizing each type of fuel, so that the benefits arising from their use to be maximum. At European level, the main objective in energy independence, along with the desire to protect the environment, is that energy mix used by each individual state to be dominated by the idea of increasing energy efficiency satisfying consumption with minimal financial effort. The principal aim is to minimize the financial effort of the final consumer; this goal can be attained only through the involvement of financial levers of state power. The low level of state involvement in energy efficiency would create huge costs for final consumers, with devastating effects on all market participants. Romania is in a small proportion dependent on external energy resources. Opening new electricity production units is justified only if it aims to increase exports. The lack in takeover and implementation of European legislation in national legislation makes this prospect to remain at the level of aspiration, electricity exports being limited to neighboring countries whose TSOs have direct connection points.