Energy Minister Virgil Popescu said, referring to the heating situation in Bucharest, that thermal energy cannot be subsidized indefinitely and cannot be given money for it, writes News.ro. He clarified that if the city hall of the capital does not have the money to pay, the residents of Bucharest will not be left without heat this winter.

Virgil Popescu was asked on Prima TV’s Insider Politic show on Saturday if he felt responsible for the cold in the homes of Bucharest residents.

“Of course, we can all feel responsible. We are responsible for ELCEN. ELCEN depends on gas supplied by Romgaz. But I believe that “Termoenergetika” and the capital city hall, and “Termoenergetika” – the company of the capital city hall, which is also the owner of heating networks, should pay on time. We provide. ELCEN has never interrupted energy supply,” explained the Minister of Energy.

The producer of the show told him that the mayor of the capital Nikushor Dan says that he has no money and is asking for the government’s support in this matter.

“As long as Bucharest is the richest city, as long as the General Council believes that the citizens of Bucharest should pay the tariff per gigacalorie, it means that it knows that there is money in the budget to pay this subsidy. And he also knows that he has some networks that have losses. Therefore, he should assume this and should do everything in his power to pay,” the Minister of Energy added.

• Read also: Factual analysis: Cuke government, Marcel Čolaku and Nikušor Dan – who is right in the dispute about the heat of Bucharest residents

When asked whether he proposes to the mayor of the capital to increase the price of energy carriers, Virgil Popescu answered:

“No, I suggest that they allocate funds to pay up to the price… if they so decide, respect that, from a financial point of view, make a commitment. Of course, I saw the Prime Minister’s statement, the debt ceiling will be raised, and he will probably be able to borrow and pay. We are also ready to allow the administrative unit to enter the shareholding of ELCEN, to allow the City Hall of Bucharest to enter the shareholding of Elcen, let’s do SACET. We are open to everything, but we cannot subsidize endlessly and not return money. Elcen has been declared insolvent and is in the process of reorganization due to debts of more than three billion lei to RADET, which is also insolvent. So it has to co-exist with the City Hall to function. If he doesn’t pay, we will definitely work, we can’t leave the people of Bucharest without heat this winter, that’s understandable. They will be warm this winter. But the comfort of the residents of Bucharest will depend on the efforts that Termoenergetica makes to keep the heating system in working condition.”

Read on this topic:

• Termoenergetica on the verge of bankruptcy due to debts of more than 500 million lei / What is the risk that Bucharest will be left without hot water and heat in the middle of winter
• Mayor Nikushor Dan asks for help from the government to pay the debt of 600 million accumulated in Termoenergetica
• Cuke blames Nikusor Dan for the heat problems in Bucharest and says he won’t give him money: “City hall could solve the problem”
• Thermal energy, losses of almost 300 million lei due to the fact that the tariff for the transportation of thermal energy was approved late
• Sent by Cholak to “Ms. Clotilda” to get money for the heating, Nikushor Dan replies: “The metaphor contest will take place in a year and a half”