Romania Eficienta (Efficient Romania), a national program launched in the summer of 2019 to promote energy efficiency in Romania till 2022, announced new obligations regarding the charging of electrical vehicles and temperature automation in buildings.

Romania Eficienta is an important program especially in the context of the European Ecological Pact (European Green Deal).

According to the new Law 101/2020, published in July 2020, which amends the provisions of Law 372/2005 on the energy performance on buildings, the following main novelties come into force:

* electromobility -> The buildings that will undego major renovation works or the new residential and non-residential buildings with more than ten parking spots are now required to have infrastructure for the installation of at least one electric vehicle charging point, as well as the piping for electrical cables for at least 20% of the planned parkinng spaces. The non-residential buildings with more than twenty parking spots must have installed until January 1st 2025 a number of recharging points for electric vehicles at least equal to 10% of the total number of the parking spots, but no less than two. Buildings occupied or owned by SMEs are exempt from this rule.

* temperature automation systems -> The new buildings whose permits are issued after September 15th 2020, are required to be equipped with automatic devices for distinct regulation of temperature and indoor air quality. The existing buildings are required to be equipped with automated temperature devices at the very moment of replacing the heat/cold generators.

* long term national renovation strategy -> In order to support the national renovation plan for residential and non-residential buildings, both public and private, and the gradual transition to a higher degree of energy efficiency and zero carbon emissions by 2050, the Ministry for Public Works, Development and Administration (MLPDA) will develop a long term strategy to be approved by the Romanian government. The strategy will be updated every 10 years and will be sent to the European Commission as part of the Integrated National Plan for Energy and Climate Change, developed by the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Business Environment.