Romania’s Ministry of Energy reached a historic milestone in 2024, incorporating 1,200 MW of new energy capacity—an amount equivalent to the total installed power over the last four years.

Speaking with Strategic Energy Europe, the Ministry emphasized that renewables were the primary driver of this growth, with 700 MW of new clean capacity added. Of this total, 333 MW were connected in December as a result of 116 projects completed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), reinforcing the country’s commitment to transitioning toward a more sustainable energy system.

“2024 has been a key year for Romania’s energy sector, marking significant progress and transformation,” the Ministry stated. Renewable energy led this expansion, positioning Romania as a leader in Eastern Europe’s energy transition.

Looking toward 2025, the country is moving forward with an expansion plan aimed at doubling the capacity installed in 2024, reaching at least 1,500 MW in renewables, and strengthening the electrical grid infrastructure to ensure the efficient integration of new capacity.

2024 Milestones: Renewable Energy and Nuclear Expansion

Romania’s renewable energy growth in 2024 exceeded all projections and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to decarbonization. During the year, 700 MW were installed, with a strong focus on integrating wind and solar energy.

Beyond these completed projects, the government promoted several initiatives to secure future renewable growth. Through the Modernization Fund, multiple calls were launched for new installations and storage solutions, ensuring grid stability and a steady flow of investment in clean energy.

“This progress highlights our commitment to a balanced energy mix, ensuring security, affordability, and sustainability,” the Ministry of Energy told the portal.

Another significant milestone was the adoption of Romania’s National Energy Strategy 2025-2035-2050, a comprehensive framework defining the long-term vision for the energy sector.

Additionally, in 2024, Romania laid the groundwork for offshore wind energy development with the approval of the Offshore Wind Energy Law. This regulatory framework envisions the installation of between 3 and 7 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2032, leveraging the vast 76 GW potential identified by the World Bank.

“This regulation lays the foundation for large-scale investments and positions Romania as a regional leader in renewable energy innovation,” the Ministry of Energy emphasized.

Through these initiatives, Romania aims to consolidate its efforts to reach 10 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.

In the nuclear sector, the country took a decisive step by signing a €3.2 billion contract for the construction of Units 3 and 4 at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, which will add 1,400 MW of capacity to the national energy system. Additionally, the government advanced the rehabilitation of Unit 1 at the same plant, ensuring 30 more years of efficient operation once the works are completed in 2029.

Targets for 2025: 2,400 MW of New Capacity

The Ministry of Energy’s goal for 2025 is to double the energy capacity installed in 2024, reaching at least 2,400 MW through new strategic projects, of which between 1,200 MW and 1,500 MW will be renewable.

It is also worth noting that in 2025, a new Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction will be held for 3.5 GW. “The success of the first auction is expected to attract more developers, both domestic and international, further boosting investments and increasing market competitiveness,” the Ministry stated.

In the long term, the country aims to advance storage projects, increase battery capacity to 400-500 MWh, and develop offshore wind infrastructure.

“In addition to renewable and thermal projects, we continue to develop Neptune Deep and Caragele, which are key to the country’s energy independence,” the Ministry emphasized.

Modernizing the Electrical Grid: Key Investments to Sustain Renewable Growth

The rapid growth of renewable capacity in Romania requires an urgent modernization of the electrical grid infrastructure to avoid the risk of oversupply, especially during periods of high production and low demand.

To mitigate this issue, energy storage solutions and cross-border interconnection improvements are being promoted to export surplus energy.

“The Romanian electrical grid is undergoing modernization to adapt to a rapidly evolving energy landscape,” the Ministry explained. Currently, the country has 4,000 MW of cross-border interconnection capacity, with plans to double it to 7,000-8,000 MW by 2030. A strategic project in this regard is the Black Sea-Hungary HVDC interconnector, which will enable energy exports and enhance system stability.

Despite these advances, the Ministry of Energy warns that there is an urgent need for investment in grid infrastructure, as congestion and the increasing number of prosumers demand immediate investments in digitalization, smart grids, and advanced storage.