Romania and the United States consolidated their strategic energy partnership with the first official meeting between their ministerial counterparts under the new administration of President Donald Trump. The meeting, held during the Three Seas Summit, brought together Sebastian Burduja, Romania’s Minister of Energy, and Christopher Allen Wright, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, for a key bilateral discussion on the energy future of Central and Eastern Europe.
The projects discussed during the meeting reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to making Romania a strong, resilient, and sustainable energy hub, while accelerating the transition to a green economy.
“Our bilateral relationship in the energy sector is an example of successful collaboration,” said Burduja, who emphasized that these developments began during the first Trump administration and remain in place, demonstrating a long-term commitment.
The meeting addressed current challenges facing the European continent, such as rising energy prices, the closure of thermal power plants without immediate replacements, and the high cost of CO₂ certifications. In this context, Burduja promotes an energy “Smart Deal” that ensures a strong and competitive Europe, prioritizing access to secure, affordable, and clean energy.
Strategic Projects Discussed
Among the projects highlighted at the bilateral meeting was the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Doicești, an initiative that represents a technological leap in the generation of safe and clean nuclear energy thanks to the technology of NuScale, a pioneering US company in the sector.
The progress of the project for Units 3 and 4 of the Cernavodă nuclear power plant was also reaffirmed, supported by the EPCM contract signed with US companies such as Fluor and Sargent & Lundy.
Another key point was the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnector, essential for improving the energy infrastructure of Central and Eastern Europe and facilitating the integration of renewable sources.
The cooperation also includes pumped-storage hydroelectric projects (CHEAP), developed jointly with Hidroelectrica and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Likewise, the geothermal potential of Bucharest was discussed, with a view to mapping and exploiting its resources with support from the Modernization Fund, and the Neptun Deep project, which seeks to double natural gas production by 2027 with the technological contribution of the Transocean Barents platform.
“In this era of energy transition, we need pragmatic and effective solutions that guarantee secure, affordable, and clean energy, in that order of priority,” emphasized Burduja.
Historic Boost for Photovoltaics in Romanian Municipalities
In parallel with the bilateral efforts, Minister Burduja announced a new milestone in the local energy transition: Romania has exceeded 2.1 billion lei invested in photovoltaic parks for public entities. On April 25, 60 new financing contracts were signed with mayors’ offices and public agencies across the country.
These initiatives, which are part of the Key 1 Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Program, aim to strengthen energy self-sufficiency in schools, hospitals, municipalities, and other institutions. The total amount of this new round amounts to 114.99 million lei (23.1 million euros), of which 100.29 million lei (over 20 million euros) come from non-reimbursable funds from the Modernization Fund.
The total installed capacity will be 15.81 MW, adding to a total of 831 projects already signed, allowing for the installation of nearly 300 MW of renewable energy in communities across the country. “Clean energy, lower bills. Of this amount, almost 1.83 billion lei are non-reimbursable funds: European funds raised for Romania’s energy future,” Burduja emphasizes.
These facilities cover up to 70% of the energy consumption of many institutions, from public lighting to healthcare services, according to official data. “It means lower bills, local autonomy, lower emissions, and a clear example that the energy transition is not a luxury, but a reality that we build day by day, contract by contract,” the Minister maintains.
Romania is thus projecting itself as a regional model of efficiency in the raising and implementation of European funds for clean energy, with new calls and collaborations on the horizon. “We continue forward with the same commitment: to build a secure, affordable, and clean energy future,” Burduja concludes.
