Romania Launches Green Energy Transition with First Contracts for Solar Panel Production and Battery Storage

Romania advances its green energy goals with new contracts under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for solar panel production and battery storage, supporting energy independence and sustainability.

Romania’s Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja has signed groundbreaking financing contracts to boost domestic solar panel production and expand battery storage. These initiatives fall under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), specifically under Investment 4.3 for energy storage and Investment 4.2 for photovoltaic manufacturing.

Minister Burduja emphasized the contracts’ importance, stating, "Investments in electricity storage are essential to balance the energy system. Storage capabilities enable us to store green energy generated from solar and wind sources, providing cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective power, even when conditions aren’t optimal." He also noted the significance of building local production capacity for photovoltaic panels to reduce Romania’s reliance on imports.

Investment 4.3: Expanding Battery Storage Capacity

Two contracts were finalized to develop Romania's battery storage infrastructure, totaling at least 240 MW or 480 MWh in capacity:

Societatea Energetică Electrica: This project will receive approximately 16.87 million lei (around 3.39 million euros) for a 69.93 MWh storage facility, including substations and grid connections.

Renovatio Trading: With 15.16 million lei (around 3.05 million euros) in support, Renovatio will construct a 60.96 MWh battery storage facility in Toplița.

These battery storage projects are expected to stabilize Romania's energy grid, especially by storing renewable energy from intermittent sources like wind and solar.

Investment 4.2: Boosting Photovoltaic Panel Manufacturing

A contract was awarded to SC KBK Kraft Projekt to construct Romania’s first major photovoltaic module factory in Sfântu Gheorghe. Backed by 19.37 million lei (around 3.89 million euros), the facility is projected to have an annual production capacity of 140 MW. This move aims to reduce reliance on imported photovoltaic panels, aligning with the European Union's broader goals of energy self-sufficiency.

The Ministry of Energy highlighted that these investments would not only support Romania’s transition to sustainable energy but also strengthen local manufacturing, making Romania a key contributor to the EU’s green energy value chain.

Romania’s Vision for Energy Independence and Sustainability

These new projects mark a significant step forward in Romania's green energy strategy, emphasizing local production and enhanced storage capacity. The Ministry of Energy remains optimistic that such investments will create a robust, sustainable energy system capable of supporting Romania's future power needs and meeting EU decarbonization targets.