DRI, the EU renewable energy division of DTEK, has received the commercial operating license for the Văcărești photovoltaic park (126MWp) from the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE), marking the start of commercial operations and an important milestone in the company’s growth trajectory in Romania.

With the commissioning of the Văcărești park, DRI’s total installed and operational capacity in Romania reaches 299MW, strengthening the company’s position as a leading independent power producer (IPP) in the country and underlining its ability to implement large-scale renewable energy projects efficiently and quickly.

Developed in Dâmbovița County, the Văcărești photovoltaic park will produce enough clean electricity to power approximately 50,000 households annually, while avoiding approximately 48,600 tons of CO₂ emissions per year, significantly contributing to Romania’s decarbonization goals.

“Achieving 299MW of operational capacity in Romania in such a short time is a major achievement for DRI and a clear testament to our speed of execution, engineering expertise and disciplined investment approach. Our portfolio — consisting of three solar parks and one wind farm — is already actively contributing to Romania’s energy transition by reducing its dependence on imported fossil fuels and supporting the stabilization of energy costs. This is particularly important in the current context of heightened geopolitical tensions, which continue to exert significant pressure on European energy markets. We remain committed to further expanding our presence in Romania and generating long-term value for our stakeholders,” said Murat Cinar, CEO of DRI.

This milestone reflects DRI’s solid track record in implementation. In just a few years, the company has developed, financed, built and brought into commercial operation four renewable energy projects, demonstrating an integrated execution model and in-house engineering and project management capabilities. DRI’s portfolio includes the Glodeni I (53MWp / 49.05MW AC) and Glodeni II (60MWp / 49.9MW AC) photovoltaic parks, which together form one of the largest solar complexes in the country, the Ruginoasa onshore wind farm (60MW AC) — the first wind project built in Romania in the last decade — and the Văcărești photovoltaic park (126MWp).

At the same time, DRI has demonstrated its ability to attract international financing. The Văcărești project benefited from a financing package of up to 60 million euros from UniCredit and Garanti BBVA, validating the solidity of the portfolio and partnerships with top-tier financial institutions.

The project also benefits from long-term visibility on revenues. Starting in January 2027, 50% of the electricity generated at Văcărești will be sold to OMV Petrom S.A. under the largest physical solar PPA ever signed in Romania, ensuring stable cash flows and supporting the long-term financial sustainability of the project.

DRI continues to expand its activities in Europe, with a large portfolio of renewable energy projects in various stages of development, construction and operation. In Romania, the company also aims to contribute to the development and stability of the energy system by advancing battery energy storage (BESS) projects, supporting greater flexibility and resilience of the national grid.