PPC Romania, Strategic Partner of FERM 2025 | Cristian ARTENI on Energy Efficiency as an Essential Strategy for the Development of Companies and Institutions
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025
Thematic Panel:
Energy and the Transition Towards a Sustainable Energy System
Speaker:
Cristian ARTENI – Technical Key Account Manager at PPC Romania
Presentation topic:
Energy efficiency as a development strategy for companies & institutions
The Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025 has established itself as a landmark event for the economic and social development of the Moldova Region.
By bringing together decision-makers, investors, leaders from public administration and the business environment, as well as international experts, the forum provides a unique platform for shaping development strategies and policies.
One of the central moments was Panel 5 – “Energy and the Transition Towards a Sustainable Energy System”, where Cristian Arteni, Technical Key Account Manager at PPC Romania, presented the topic “Energy efficiency as a development strategy for companies and institutions.”
His intervention, rich in examples and solutions, was complemented by the observations of Ion Ștefanovici, president of CAPDR, who raised pertinent questions regarding the impact of energy costs on agriculture, local administrations, and the private sector. The dialogue between the two highlighted not only technical aspects but also the economic, social, and educational dimensions of the energy transition.
Progress of Moldova and Romania in the Energy Transition
Cristian Arteni began by congratulating the Republic of Moldova for its recent progress:
“It is very impressive how Moldova has evolved in recent years to adapt to the new geopolitical energy conditions.”
He also highlighted Romania’s achievements:
“If we look these days at Transelectrica, we see that only 20–30% of the consumed energy still comes from polluting sources, the rest being green and nuclear energy.”
However, his key message was a warning: the simple increase in production capacity does not automatically bring stability or lower energy prices.
“It’s like with a salary: when it increases, you start spending more. The only real solution is energy efficiency – at the individual, institutional, and corporate level.”
This observation opens an important perspective: investments in production must be coupled with efficiency policies and programs, otherwise consumption will continue to outpace resources. The examples of Romania and Moldova show that the energy transition is underway but remains vulnerable without consumer accountability.
PPC Romania – A Partner for the Present and the Future
Arteni explained that PPC Romania is today a regional leader in the supply of clean energy, after taking over Enel’s assets, with a solid presence in Romania, Greece, and North Macedonia.
“We are the same Enel team as before, but with new shareholders. We supply energy and natural gas, but our goal is to help customers consume less and become more competitive.”
He detailed the company’s structure:
- PPC Energie – energy supplier with 8.8 million customers;
- Distribution networks – Dobrogea, Banat, and Muntenia Sud, where smart metering is being implemented;
- PPC Renewables – the largest private renewable energy producer in Romania (1.3 GW installed);
- PPC Blue – e-mobility solutions, extended charging station network.
“It is essential for our partners to know that PPC is a resilient company that will remain on the market for decades. Energy efficiency projects – photovoltaic plants, public lighting, charging stations – require maintenance and solid long-term partnerships.”
This institutional sustainability dimension is crucial: companies and local authorities need the guarantee that their energy projects are not just temporary solutions but strategic investments supported by a stable and responsible partner.
Success Stories and Best Practices
Challenged by Ion Ștefanovici to provide concrete examples, Arteni presented an impressive portfolio:
- Antibiotice Iași – 2.5 MW plant;
- Plastor Oradea – 770 kW, savings of €132,000/year;
- Sterk Plast Dobrogea – 1 MW, savings of €120,000/year;
- Kaufland Ploiești – 700 kW installed;
- Artemob – 1 MW plant, savings of €200,000/year;
- Iton – 850 kW rooftop, reduction of 86 tons CO₂/year;
- Artesana Tecuci – 177 kW, innovative solution for fragile rooftops.
“These examples show that efficiency does not mean reducing activity, but optimizing consumption. The result is increased competitiveness and substantial savings.”
Such projects demonstrate that energy efficiency is feasible for companies across various fields – from retail and industry to agriculture and HoReCa. They become best practice models, replicable and adaptable to the specific needs of each organization.
Agriculture and the Shock of Energy Bills
Ion Ștefanovici brought the discussion to the critical area of agriculture:
“A farmer from Botoșani has bills of 80,000 lei per month for irrigation. What can he do? We always had cheap resources, but market liberalization will bring huge challenges.”
Cristian Arteni proposed two practical solutions: installing properly sized photovoltaic plants or purchasing energy from the Day-Ahead Market (DAM), where midday prices are sometimes even zero.
“If the farmer irrigates during the day, he can directly benefit from these advantages.”
President Ion Ștefanovici pointed out a major vulnerability: the lack of energy education.
“We did not make an educational transition alongside liberalization. When the bills come, people will be forced to learn energy management. The impact will be felt equally by farmers, institutions, and the private sector.”
This discussion highlighted a harsh reality: the energy transition is not just about technology but also about education and training. Agriculture, a vital sector for food security, is on the front line of this challenge, and the lack of quick solutions can generate major social and economic risks.
Integrated Solutions – Lighting, Infrastructure, E-Mobility
PPC Romania offers a diversified package of solutions:
- modernization of public and industrial lighting;
- optimization of supply infrastructure by switching to medium voltage;
- expansion of the electric charging station network.
“We have over 15,000 users on our app, nationwide coverage, and we collaborate even with HoReCa. In tourism, the presence of a charging station can become a decisive selection criterion for customers,” explained Arteni.
Ion Ștefanovici added a practical example:
“At the Roman Gardens in Bicaz, developers understood that premium tourists choose locations with modern infrastructure. We must think avant-garde and align with European requirements.”
This direction shows that the energy transition is not limited to large companies or public institutions. It concerns the entire society – from farmers to tourists, from administrations to hoteliers. PPC’s solutions can become the backbone infrastructure for a modern, digital, and sustainable economy.
Conclusions
Panel 5 of the Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025 demonstrated that the energy transition is not just a technological challenge but a paradigm shift in economic and social thinking. The message delivered by PPC Romania through Cristian Arteni was firm and pragmatic: energy efficiency is the foundation of competitiveness and sustainable development.
Three key directions were highlighted:
1. Energy education – it is vital for the population, institutions, and companies to understand market mechanisms and the tools available to them. Lack of education leads to vulnerability and dependence.
2. Communication – the energy transition cannot be done in isolation. Constant dialogue is needed between suppliers, administrations, the private sector, and local communities to identify feasible and customized solutions.
3. Investment courage – those who choose to be pioneers in green solutions will gain a significant competitive advantage. Investments made now can pay off much faster than in the past.
“Let’s talk and find solutions together. Not just for bill savings, but for competitiveness. To win in a market, you must be better than the others,” emphasized Cristian Arteni.
Ion Ștefanovici complemented this vision with a direct warning:
“The situation is extremely serious and alarming. If we don’t have energy, we don’t have an economy. It is time to understand and act.”
Overall, Panel 5 delivered a clear message: the energy future of Moldova and Romania depends on the ability to turn challenges into opportunities. Through education, communication, and smart investments, the energy transition can become the engine of sustainable economic and social progress.
