EBRD investment level sharply up in Romania in 2024, announces Victoria Zinchuk, EBRD Director for Romania, in a post on LinkedIn. “Our investments rise to 707 million euros in 2024 from 658 million euros in 2023, with record 44 projects (the highest number of projects in the last 30 years!)”, she writes, when introducing an interview she gave to zf.ro.
Victoria Zinchuk highlights that green financing have amounted to 74% of the Bank’s investment volume in Romania in 2024, higher than the 58% recorded across all EBRD regions. “It was Romania’s growing ambition to implement EU green programmes, such as Fit for 55 and REPowerEU – which aim for 38% of the country’s final energy consumption to come from renewable sources by 2030 – that unlocked significant additional investments in 2024”, writes the head of EBRD for Romania. “In 2024, we financed nearly 1GW of renewable capacity in Romania. These investments, amounting to over 180 million euros from our own funds, have further mobilised almost 1 billion million euros of private and public finance.“
Beyond mere financing, EBRD supported Romania “by providing financing and by offering support to the Romanian authorities to implement policies supporting stronger private sector participation in green energy investments”. Also, “to address energy price volatility, the EBRD supported the design and implementation of Contracts for Difference (CfD) renewables auctions scheme, with the first tender for up to 1.5GW successfully awarded in 2024. An MoU with the Ministry of Energy was signed in December 2024 on implementing the second RES CfD tender and on designing storage support schemes and auctions as well as implementing reforms required to integrate storage capacities in energy markets.”
Data and comments from Victoria Zinchuk come at a time when top officials in the Romanian government questioned the soundness of the EU Green Deal. For many, this have raised some question marks regarding Romania’s commitment to its previously adopted policies and targets.
ALSO READ Romania and Green Deal: Adapt or Reposition? A reference to the French modelz
EBRD is set to remain a key investor in the Romanian economy, highlights Victoria Zinchuk, after the bank cooperation with private corporates, equity funds, banks as well as local municipalities remained strong in 2024. Private sector transactions included risk sharing with Banca Transilvania for Omnia Europe SA, launch of a supply chain financing to finance Profi local suppliers, equity investment in La Cocos, equity investment into AROBS Group and many others.
In the municipal sector, EBRD contributed 75 million euros, including co-financing alongside the EU for water and wastewater investments in Bacau, Constanta, Iasi and Braila, as well as buildings energy efficiency investments in Craiova.
On 13 February, at the conference “Romanian energy market – Facts of 2025”, organised by Energynomics, minister Sebastian Burduja and representatives of the energy industry will discuss the changes we anticipate from this year onwards. SECURE YOUR PLACE!
Energynomics begins the year by provoking and facilitating a 360° discussion on the pressing issues that will redefine the priorities and direction of the energy industry. The event will be attended by senior representatives of the authorities, alongside members of the most important market players and trade associations. They will contribute to shaping a dynamic and constructive dialogue, addressing current challenges and development opportunities in the sector. The discussions will provide a clear perspective on investment strategies, current regulations and initiatives to support development and innovation. Through the presence of leading experts, the event will facilitate the exchange of ideas and concrete solutions for the future of the industry.