On Wednesday, at a ceremony held in Iepurești (Giurgiu County), Nofar Energy Romania marked the commercial launch of the Iepurești and Ghimpați photovoltaic parks—two of the largest solar energy projects developed in Romania to date. With a combined installed capacity of over 315 MWp, these two projects represent a strategic investment in Romania’s energy infrastructure and a significant milestone in Nofar Energy’s long-term business strategy for the local market.
The Iepurești photovoltaic park has an installed capacity of 169.4 MWp and is currently the largest operational solar park in Romania. The Ghimpați solar park has a capacity of 146 MWp. Together, they will generate approximately 430 GWh of green electricity annually—enough to power numerous companies and equivalent to the annual electricity needs of over 250,000 households. The output from these two parks will also help avoid approximately 160,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.
The commercial launch of the two parks follows the successful completion of grid-connection certification tests and the receipt of all necessary approvals. “The inauguration of the Iepurești and Ghimpați projects marks a milestone not only for Nofar Energy but also for Romania’s energy landscape. We are talking about over 315 MW of clean capacity added to the grid in a single phase—clear proof of our execution speed and the long-term commitment we have made here. Romania is a key pillar of our European strategy, providing a solid foundation for the green transition and the region’s energy independence. We will continue to invest heavily in both renewable generation and storage solutions, accelerating the country’s transformation into a true regional clean energy hub,” stated Ofer Yannay, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Nofar Energy.
“When we launched the Iepurești and Ghimpați projects, we looked at the market and set out to prove that large-scale construction is possible in Romania. Today, we have 315 MW connected—part of a portfolio of nearly 850 MW under development—and we are in the advanced stages of integrating storage capabilities. I believe that if the country succeeds in bringing several gigawatts online over the next few years, Romania’s energy landscape will look completely different by 2030. And we will be part of that transformation,” said Favi Stelian, Managing Partner of Nofar Energy Romania.
The two photovoltaic parks were built in parallel over a period of approximately two years. Their development was supported by a €110 million financing package, signed in August 2024 with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Raiffeisen Bank International, and partially backed by a guarantee under the European Union’s InvestEU program.
The projects were developed on land secured through direct agreements with local owners and are located entirely outside protected natural areas. Their construction and operation were designed to minimize environmental and local community impact, in compliance with standards associated with EBRD financing.
A key component of the Iepurești and Ghimpați project development is their future integration with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), which are located in the same area and currently under development.
“The entry into commercial operation of the Iepurești and Ghimpați parks marks a significant milestone not only for Nofar Energy but also for Romania’s energy transition. We worked closely with the EBRD and Raiffeisen Bank International to secure financing for these two projects, and today we see the result: 315 MW connected to the grid. The next step for us is large-scale storage integration, as we are convinced that renewable energy—supplied at scale and combined with storage solutions—represents the fastest path to a secure, affordable, and clean energy system,” emphasized Andreea Gilicel, Commercial Director at Nofar Energy.
The planned storage capacity is 280 MW / 860 MWh, giving it significant scale within Romania’s BESS infrastructure and transforming the Iepurești and Ghimpați sites from large-scale renewable generation projects into integrated energy assets capable of contributing both green energy and system flexibility.
Developing storage capacity is becoming increasingly important as the share of variable renewable energy sources rises. Batteries enable the storage of energy generated during periods of high solar output for use when demand and system needs are greatest. This allows for more efficient utilization of renewable energy and reduces pressure on the grid. Storage helps balance generation and consumption, mitigates the impact of overproduction periods, enhances system flexibility, and facilitates the integration of greater amounts of renewable energy into the national grid.
Against this backdrop, Iepurești and Ghimpați exemplify the evolution from generation-only renewable projects to a new generation of energy infrastructure, where large-scale solar generation is complemented by storage and the ability to better meet the needs of both the energy system and consumers.
Long-term investments in Romania
Nofar Energy Romania is an independent renewable energy producer active on the local market since 2021 and part of an international group operating in 10 countries. The company develops, owns, and operates renewable energy projects and builds the infrastructure required for the next phase of Romania’s energy transition, aiming to become a trusted, long-term energy partner for companies and communities. Iepurești and Ghimpați are key projects within Nofar’s Romanian portfolio, which comprises approximately 800 MW of solar capacity and about 1.9 GWh of storage systems—spanning operational, under-construction, and in-development projects.
The company recently announced the acquisition of a majority stake in nextE, a Romanian energy trading and asset management platform that provides commercialization, optimization, and portfolio management services for renewable energy producers and industrial consumers. This transaction marks a strategic expansion of Nofar’s capabilities beyond electricity generation and its integration into a broader energy value chain.
