Romania is “in the midst of an energy revolution” with the finalisation, after 17 years, of an energy strategy, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja told at the 11th Energy Strategy Summit, the flagship event of Energynomics.
“Whatever happens, Romania has a path that it has chosen and validated. At the same time, we have an energy revolution underway. We will fight to the end in court for Romania’s right to have secure, cheap and clean energy. In this order of priorities,” the minister said.
He listed some of the progress made in the financing of energy projects, such as Investment 1 of the NRRP, where some 600 MW of new renewable energy capacity has already been commissioned. According to Mr Burduja, the target of 1,000 MW by the end of the year is “very close to being reached”.
“There are projects already delivering energy for Romania. And we’re not just talking about projects funded by the NRRP or the state budget. This week, in Timis, we are putting into operation the Albina photovoltaic park, of almost 50 MW,” he added.
In parallel, the Ministry of Energy has started signing financing contracts for green energy production projects through the Modernisation Fund, despite the slow pace of evaluation due to the low number of staff, only 15 officials for 3,400 projects.
“We expect to sign all eligible contracts from the Modernisation Fund in the next two to three months,” the minister assured.
In the area of natural gas-based energy, Burduja mentioned the advancement of the Mintia project, a €1.4bn private investment, which, if realised, would become the largest gas-fired power plant in the region and certainly Romania’s biggest energy project in many years. In November or December this year, the first two turbines, totalling more than 1,000 MW, could be commissioned.
The minister also provided updates on the coal-to-gas conversion projects at Ișalnița and Turceni, which are currently in the tendering phase, and expressed confidence that design and execution contracts will be signed in the next two months. He also confirmed that there is a concrete offer for the construction of CET Titan, the first new CET in Bucharest since 1990.
Another strategic component targeted is energy storage, and Burduja expressed confidence that by the end of next year Romania will have more than 2,000 MWh in batteries, compared to the current level of 400 MWh.
“It’s an ambitious but perfectly achievable target,” he said.
2025 Energy Strategy Summit was organised by Energynomics, with the support of our partners: AJ Brand, Elektra Renewable Support, ABB, Adrem Asset Management, Alive Capital, BCR, DEKRA, Distribuție Energie Electrică Romania, E-Infra, Eaton Electric, Electrica Furnizare, EnergoBit, Enery, Enevo Group, Enexus, European Investment Bank, Evryo, Exim Banca Romaneasca, Delgaz Grid, Genesis Biopartner, Huawei, ING Bank, Jantzen Renewables, Keno Energy, Leader Team, LONGi, Nano Energies, Prime Batteries Technology, Procesio, Procredit Bank, Relians, Renomia, Romgaz, Schneider Electric, script.ai, Sermatec, smartPulse, Solar Today, SolaX, Think Blu Solution, Voltika, Wiren, YEO, AIployees, Aqua Carpatica, Alexandrion, Carbon Tool, Imsol.