Danish renewables developer European Energy has received grid connection approvals for around 500 megawatts (MW) of solar and wind energy projects across Romania, bringing the projects closer to the ready-to-build stage.
The total development pipeline for European Energy Romania now exceeds 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of solar and wind projects. European Energy is in working process to receive grid connection approvals for the remaining projects in the near future, which is an important step in project development, moving these initiatives closer to a ready-to-build stage.
“We consider Romania a very promising market. The upcoming auction for Contract for Difference outlined in the Romanian renewable energy support scheme, totalling 5 GW, will unlock the implementation of more wind and solar projects,” said Ioannis Kalapodas, Head of European Energy’s Romania office.
“Securing 500 MW of grid connection approvals is a step towards achieving a leading position in the market. Romania can foster a new progressive stream of renewable energy development under the recently launched support scheme for Contracts for Difference,” added Thorvald Spanggaard, Executive Vice President and Head of Project Development at European Energy.
As of the end of 2023, Romania had 11.7 GW of renewable energy capacity either built or which have grid connection approval, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.
European Energy estimates that hybrid projects, which include a mix of solar, wind, and battery storage technologies, could drive the development of renewable energy in Romania. Another initiative that could spur this development is the establishment of clear regulations for guarantees of origin, which would stimulate corporate power purchase agreements in the country, noted the company.