“Energy for Romania”: Dialog Between Energy, Education and Civil Society Leaders
The first edition of the “Energy for Romania” event, organized by the Electrica Group and the Electrica Foundation, took place at the Filaret Hall, the site of Bucharest’s first power plant. It brought together over 150 participants, representatives of authorities, leaders from the energy sector, capital market, academia, and non-governmental organizations, in an open dialogue on how energy, education, and social responsibility can be combined to build a sustainable future for Romania.
“In 2022, when I joined the Electrica Group, the share price was RON 6. Together with my colleagues, we dreamed what seemed impossible, and today, when the share has reached RON 23 – I can say that the dream has come true. Many people ask me what I did to succeed. The truth is that I didn’t do anything on my own, I just gave people the freedom to be professionals and to build, day by day, the company we all want. But perhaps the most important is that we manage to combine investments and economic performance with social and educational projects, which give meaning to our development,” Alexandru Chirita, CEO of Electrica, said.
Opening the event, Mihai Diaconu – Chairman of the Board of Directors of Electrica, emphasized the link between economic performance and social responsibility: “In 2025, there are still thousands of households in Romania without access to electricity. The energy infrastructure we manage is essential for the development of communities, and our success cannot be measured by financial indicators alone, but also by the real impact on people.”
In his turn, Radu Burnete – Presidential Advisor, emphasized Romania’s strategic role: “Romania can be a regional leader in energy, but for that we need to invest quickly in production, grids and market. We need competitive energy prices and an open market for private capital to support the energy transition.”
The message was reinforced by Bogdan Ivan – Energy Minister, who pointed out that the energy system is a pillar for the entire economy: “The energy system is not just about energy or gas, it is about Romania’s economy, about how we can be an economic champion. I can’t wait to do what maybe many of you, Romanians, dreamed of. Romania should be a country in which we are no longer dependent on energy imports, Romania should become a net energy exporter, and the final price for consumers and companies should be below the EU average.”
Alexandru Petrescu – President of ASF, brought the financial market perspective: “When we talk about energy, we are talking about a whole foundation of trust. Energy means technology, but also the ability to build trust. All these ingredients form the infrastructure through which a state delivers stability and protection for consumers, whether investors or end-users. Trust remains essential to move forward with confidence.”
In his turn, Remus Vulpescu – Director General of BVB, emphasized the support that the stock exchange can offer to the green transition: “In July, Electrica listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange the largest issue of corporate and non-financial green bonds in Romania – €500 million entirely earmarked for investments in renewable energy and storage capacities. This transaction is not only a numerical record but proves that the Romanian capital market is ready to offer sophisticated financing instruments for the energy transition.”
From the academic environment, Mihnea Costoiu – Rector of the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, drew attention to the shortage of qualified human resources: “The 2024-2025 academic year ended with 3,800 engineering graduates at the Polytechnic University, for which the market offered 39,000 jobs. The huge gap shows that Romania is going through a major shortage of engineers, and the country urgently needs well-trained specialists.”
The event’s agenda included three thematic panels, each highlighting complementary dimensions of energy. The discussions showed that energy is not just about technical infrastructure but has a direct impact on people’s lives.
In the panel “Energy for life: Ehen energy infrastructure becomes medical infrastructure,” moderated by Andreea Negru – President of PEFA, industry representatives such as Mihaela Rodica Suciu – CEO of Distributie Energie Electrica Romania, Ion Sterian – CEO of Transgaz, Aristotel Jude – Deputy CEO of Romgaz, Bogdan Badea – CEO of Hidroelectrica, Paul Dudau – Director of Public Affairs at Distributie Energie Oltenia, part of the Evryo Group, and Oana Gherasim – Communications Director at PPC, highlighted how energy security supports patient safety and the functioning of medical facilities.
“A megawatt in healthcare is not just a number. It can mean a functioning incubator for a premature baby, a successful operation or a heart that keeps beating,” Mihaela Rodica Suciu said.
The panel “Building the energy future together: Partnerships between industry and education,” moderated by Alexandru Chirita, had as speakers Elisabeta Moraru – Country Director Google Romania, Vasile Strat – Dean Bucharest Business School, Camelia Crisan – Lecturer, PhD SNSPA and Gabriela Hartescu – Dean and founding member of ENVISIA – Boards of Elite. The speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration between academia and business to train new generations of professionals.
“Partnerships between universities and industry are no longer optional, but essential to train the professionals that Romania needs in the energy transition,” said Vasile Strat, Dean of Bucharest Business School.
The panel “From kilowatts to communities: Fighting energy poverty through innovation and partnership,” moderated by Lorena Stoian – Senior Vice-President of PEFA, included Marilena Nedelcu – President of the Electrica Foundation, Alexandra Balseanu (President of the GO-AHEAD Association), Alexandru Deaconu – President of the Sharp Solution Association, and Carmen Micu – CEO and founding member of ENVISIA – Boards of Elite. The panel highlighted concrete solutions to reduce energy vulnerability.
“Hundreds of children in remote areas have received «Fireflies» solar lamps, giving them the opportunity to learn and dream of a better future. It is proof that concrete steps, however small, can make a difference,” Marilena Nedelcu emphasized.
Exhibition area – bridge between past and future
A highlight of the event was the exhibition area, organized in partnership with the National Technical Museum “Prof. Eng. Dimitrie Leonida”, where the public could admire exhibits from the technological heritage, including the model of the Apollo 11 lunar module, astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s training suit, Justin Capra’s inventions, Karpen batteries, and vintage cars.
Alongside these collectibles, guests also discovered the innovative presentations of a robotics team supported by the Electrica Foundation, Renaissance Robotics, which brought to the forefront projects developed by young people passionate about science and engineering. The exhibition was a bridge between past and future, reminding that technological progress and innovation are possible when education, science and energy go hand in hand.
Strategic Partners: Electrica Furnizare, Distributie Energie Electrica Romania
Event supported by: Electrica Serv, Technical Museum “Prof. Eng. Dimitrie Leonida”, Red Point Software Solutions, REDVECTOR and the Belgium-Luxembourg-Romania-Moldova Chamber of Commerce (BEROCC)
