Romania could see an unprecedented wave of renewable energy construction in 2026, as thousands of megawatts of solar and wind projects are scheduled to start building almost simultaneously. While financing appears to be largely secured for many developments, the sector may face a different type of bottleneck: human resources and logistics, said Sebastian Enache, Business Development Manager of Monsson Group.
“This year alone, we will have 4,000-5,000 megawatts starting construction in March and April,” Enache said, at Energynomics Day, on the premises of the Green Energy Expo & Romenvirotec, noting that around 3,000-3,500 MW will be photovoltaic projects and another 1,000-1,500 MW wind farms.
This surge of construction activity will put pressure on the supply chain and the workforce required to deliver the projects. Developers and contractors estimate that between 5,000 and 6,000 additional workers will be needed to support the installations, including engineers, technicians and construction specialists. The logistics behind building large-scale renewable energy facilities are also significant. Solar projects alone require thousands of piles, large volumes of equipment and coordinated transport across the country. When many projects start at the same time, they rely on the same transport corridors, suppliers and installation teams.
Developers have recently seen a sharp increase in equipment costs. Prices for photovoltaic panels have risen by roughly 20-30% compared with October last year, creating additional pressure for projects that are already moving into the construction phase. Despite these challenges, the largest developments are expected to move forward. Major investors and energy companies have already secured financing and equipment for projects ranging from hundreds of megawatts to more than one gigawatt, and many of them plan to start construction between April and June.
Smaller projects, however, may face greater uncertainty, Enache added. Developments in the range of 20-80 MW that have not yet reached a final investment decision could struggle to advance, especially if they encounter delays or cost increases. In contrast, the wind sector is expected to face fewer operational bottlenecks. The construction ecosystem for wind farms relies on different contractors, equipment and machinery than solar projects, meaning there is little direct competition for resources between the two segments.
Romania also has a pool of experienced technicians working on wind projects abroad who could return to support domestic installations, potentially easing workforce shortages in that segment. Beyond construction challenges, the broader evolution of the energy sector will depend on balancing production with electricity demand. While much of the discussion in the industry focuses on building new generation capacity and storage systems, consumption growth will play an equally important role in shaping the market.
One solution increasingly discussed by developers is the creation of integrated energy hubs where production and consumption are located close to each other. Industrial facilities, commercial parks or other large consumers could host renewable generation on-site, reducing the need for long-distance electricity transport and improving the economics of projects. In the longer term, the structure of Romania’s energy mix will remain critical. Solar, wind, gas, nuclear and storage technologies will all have roles to play in maintaining system stability while adapting to changing prices and geopolitical developments.
„For now, the large number of announced projects may ultimately lead to a natural selection process. Financial institutions are likely to support only the most viable developments, while weaker projects may never move beyond the planning stage”, he concluded.
The conference Energynomics Day was organized by Energynomics, on the premises of the Green Energy Expo & Romenvirotec, with the support of our partners: Elektra Renewable Support, Baringa, Big Store, Think Blu Solution.