Regulatory hurdles and electricity grid capacity constraints are slowing the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, despite growing business interest in sustainable solutions, according to Andreea Radoi, Director of Strategy and Sustainability at E.ON Energie Romania.
Speaking at the Sustainability in Business Forum, organised by Sustainability Today and The Diplomat-Bucharest, Radoi highlighted the gap between companies’ sustainability ambitions and the pace at which projects can be implemented.
“We know what sustainability requires of us, and we know our targets. The problem, I would say, is the speed,” she stated.
Businesses are increasingly interested in solutions that reduce energy consumption, driven both by sustainability objectives and by the economic benefits of improved efficiency. Energy providers can support companies through a broad range of measures, including photovoltaic panels, energy audits, energy management systems, battery storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
“There is an economic rationale behind it, because we all know that energy you do not consume is energy you do not pay for,” Radoi explained.
However, permitting procedures and electricity grid limitations can delay the deployment of these solutions. She noted that regulatory frameworks may not always reflect current market realities, while insufficient grid capacity can require additional investments in network reinforcement.
“You may be willing to help a customer install the photovoltaic panels they want, but you may find that the grid does not have the necessary capacity, or that additional costs are required to reinforce it,” she said.
These obstacles slow progress, even when customers are willing to invest and energy providers are ready to offer support. Although the process can be complicated, Radoi stressed that the solutions exist and the challenges can be addressed.
For large industrial consumers, energy efficiency is directly linked to competitiveness. Lower energy consumption helps companies control operating costs, while investments in renewable generation and storage can provide further opportunities to optimise energy use.
Based on its experience working with business customers, E.ON Energie Romania has observed that companies are consuming less energy than before as a result of efficiency measures.
“The first thing any company does is take measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption,” Radoi said.
Businesses are increasingly considering additional investments, including photovoltaic installations and battery storage systems. However, combining these technologies effectively requires integrated solutions that can optimise energy production and consumption.
“You need an energy management system that determines when to produce, when to consume and how to switch between the two. That allows you to achieve further efficiency gains,” she explained.
Industrial facilities can also improve performance by adopting flexibility solutions that help them optimise the use of equipment and other energy resources across their operations. The combination of energy efficiency measures, renewable generation, storage and intelligent energy management can help companies reduce costs while advancing their sustainability objectives.
