Bucharest, March 16, 2026

The Alliance for Decarbonization and Energy Efficiency (ADEE) has launched in Bucharest the first national platform dedicated to accelerating the energy transition and implementing energy efficiency solutions, within the conference “CBAM and ETS2 – new rules, new costs, new solutions for business and the national economy.”

The event brought together representatives of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Finance, the Romanian Academy, as well as leaders from industry and the entrepreneurial sector, including E-ON, Engie, Kaufland, Mega Image, Mobexpert, Leroy Merlin, Rompetrol, GreenVolt Next, Bjorn Heizung, Transparent Design, and others. Their presence confirmed the need for a coordinated framework between public authorities and the business environment to manage the impact of the new European regulations.

CBAM and ETS2 – mechanisms that will influence the economy

The conference highlighted two of the most important European mechanisms that will influence the Romanian economy in the coming years: CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) and ETS2 – Emissions Trading System 2.

These instruments introduce a carbon price for imports and for sectors such as transport and buildings, which will generate additional costs for companies that do not invest in energy efficiency.

However, the central message of the conference was that these regulations can also become a major opportunity for the modernization of the Romanian economy.

Energy communities can reduce costs by up to 50%

According to discussions during the event, the implementation of solutions such as photovoltaic panels, storage batteries, heat pumps, and modern underfloor heating systems can reduce energy costs by up to 50% for companies and communities.

A key role can be played by energy communities, a concept recently introduced into Romanian legislation in November 2025, which allows the local production and consumption of energy.

This model can bring direct benefits to industry, prosumers, and vulnerable consumers, reducing dependence on expensive energy and imports, with significant reductions in energy bills of over 40%, according to statements made by Marius Marinoff, President of ADEE.

Over €560 million in funding for energy projects

At the same time, financial resources for this transition already exist.

The Government of Romania allocated more than €560 million through the Modernization Fund in 2025 for the installation of solar panels for public institutions, with more than 1,180 contracts already signed.

In the spring of this year, a new round of funding of approximately €500 million will follow, including support for heat pumps and energy storage batteries, as mentioned during the conference by Cristian Bușoi, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy.

ADEE aims to connect the available funds with concrete projects capable of absorbing these resources, thus creating a bridge between public policies and practical implementation in the economy.

Support from public institutions and the business community

The conference confirmed that the ADEE initiative enjoys support from both public institutions and the business sector.

Mihaela Frăsineanu, State Counselor within the Government of Romania, delivered a strong message regarding the need to accelerate action:

“We need to move. We Romanians tend to stay in a waiting position, watching what others do, and we miss opportunities. We must remain competitive.”

In turn, George Bădescu, Executive Director of AMRCR and member of the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels, proposed that ADEE should evolve into a national think tank capable of bringing together key stakeholders in the sector and generating solutions that can be rapidly implemented in the economy.

ADEE aims to accelerate the implementation of energy solutions

At the end of the conference, Marius Marinoff, President of ADEE, emphasized the direction the Alliance intends to follow:

“We need to move from the ‘I think’ stage to the ‘we act’ stage. This is an opportunity we may not encounter again.”

Through this initiative, ADEE aims to become a national collaboration platform, where dialogue between authorities, industry, and academia is transformed into concrete projects and measurable results for the Romanian economy.