Romania is set to undergo an energy transformation, with expectations of up to EUR 19 billion in offshore wind investments by 2035, according to a newly launched roadmap. Minister of Energy Sebastian-Ioan Burduja declared this shift an "energy revolution" as the country aims to commission as much as 7 GW of offshore wind capacity within the next decade.
In his announcement, Burduja emphasized Romania's ambition to become Europe's top gas producer by 2027, driven by the Neptun Deep offshore project. Additionally, he highlighted Hidroelectrica's exploration of a floating solar power project in collaboration with Masdar, marking a new frontier in renewable energy innovation.
The roadmap, developed in partnership with the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), outlines optimal locations for Romania's first offshore wind farms in the Black Sea. With wind speeds of 7.5 to 8 meters per second and substantial potential for floating wind plants, Romania could see up to 76 GW of offshore wind power capacity.
Minister Burduja also detailed the ministry’s success in securing EUR 14 billion in grants over the past 15 months to support various energy projects. These funds, aimed at boosting solar, wind, and gas-fired power, as well as infrastructure, are a crucial part of Romania's broader energy strategy.
The offshore wind roadmap envisions between 3 GW to 7 GW of capacity by 2035, with investments ranging from EUR 9 billion to EUR 19 billion. This could generate up to 77,000 jobs and contribute significantly to Romania's economy.
Romania is also seeing a surge in household adoption of photovoltaic systems, with subsidies being quickly snapped up under the Casa Verde Fotovoltaice program. The government aims to add 67,000 new prosumers this year, further driving the country’s transition to renewable energy.
In a key event, the Ministry of Energy will host a conference on October 10 for companies interested in the latest tenders for onshore wind and solar projects. The nation’s ambitious plans signal a pivotal moment in its energy sector, with Romania positioning itself as a leader in both renewable and conventional energy within the European Union.
