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The European policies aim at reducing as much as possible the economic disparities between both Member States and their regions, and it is desired to apply a sustainable development by using the structural and cohesion funds. In the current context where the economic crises are more frequent, arises the question if these funds are used effectively and fully. In Romania, the efficiency of using the EU funds is still debatable although there is a huge need for investments in all economic sectors. The present work highlights the importance of using the European funds for Romania in general, and for the development of its energy sector. The main objectives of this research are to present the current status of absorption of structural funds in Romania and to do a data analysis of the contracted projects per program and per development region at the beginning of 2014 using national data. Also, have been analyzed the 2007-2013 operational programs relevant for the energy field. Finally, this paper would present solutions for increasing the Romanian absorption rate and for encouraging the investments in energy which are so necessary in this country. The development of energy sector could be done with the help of the structural funds that is why must be used with relevance and integrally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]