a leading Danish renewable energy developer and operator has officially inaugurated the Teius Solar Park a strategic investment valued at 55 million euros (VAT included) supported by 15 million euros from Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) the solar park significantly boosts green energy production for Romania marking another essential step towards the country’s energy transition developed in collaboration with Teius Solar S.R.L. is expected to generate approximately 103.59 GWh of electricity annually reducing CO₂ emissions by more than 37,000 tonnes each year A critical component of the solar park’s infrastructure is its state-of-the-art internal 110/20kV designed to ensure efficient integration of renewable energy into Romania’s national grid The inauguration event was attended by representatives from national authorities celebrating the moment when the park began contributing its first kilowatts to the national energy grid “Romania possesses all the resources required to become a regional leader in green energy We currently have over 10,000 MW in various development stages within the photovoltaic and wind energy sectors and we are European champions in attracting non-reimbursable funds for energy projects of which over 6.25 billion euros have already been disbursed to Romania—funds fundamentally transforming our energy system we witness concrete proof of the ambitious projects we’ve initiated: the Teius Solar Park financed with European funds through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) This park will produce approximately 103.59 GWh of electricity annually and help reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 37,000 tonnes each year Over 600 MW of new capacity has already been completed through the PNRR and we anticipate reaching a total of more than 1,300 MW installed capacity financed by this program These investments translate into green energy We remain committed to supporting strategic clean energy projects and innovative storage solutions to build a flexible and resilient energy grid capable of addressing future challenges plays a crucial role in the decarbonization of Romania’s energy sector The Romanian Government supports these initiatives through ambitious plans and the efficient utilization of European funds and all partners involved in achieving this success Romania’s energy future is already well underway we are transforming Romania into a regional energy leader,” Sebastian Burduja “The successful completion and inauguration of the Teius Solar Park demonstrate Eurowind Energy’s strong commitment to sustainable development in Romania Our mission is to actively support the creation of a greener aiding Romania’s journey toward a sustainable future for everyone,” Adrian Dobre This significant investment includes non-reimbursable funds amounting to 15 million euros from the Green Energy component of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) reinforcing Eurowind Energy’s dedication to projects that facilitate Romania’s green energy transition Eurowind Energy is currently developing a complementary Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Teius This storage infrastructure involves a total investment of approximately 43 million euros (VAT included) including 7.6 million euros of non-reimbursable funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan designed to improve grid flexibility and resilience Teius marks the fourth solar park developed by Eurowind Energy in Romania Eurowind Energy will operate a local renewable energy portfolio totalling 124 MW with an extensive pipeline of projects under development Teius photovoltaic power plant 68.99 mwp/60.2 mw key indicators 9 x Auxiliary Power Transformers 40 kVA + 9 x Backup Genset 55 kVA 1424 x Powerway Powerfit 1×78 modules 82 km x Prysmian Sunconnect AC LV Power Cable 20 x Weather Stations for wind speed & direction Eurowind Energy A/S is a Danish company that specializes in developing building and operating renewable energy parks Eurowind Energy has activities within wind Eurowind Energy A/S was founded in 2006 and has since grown to be a significant player in the renewable energy sector with more than 650 employees and operations in 16 markets in Europe and the USA The company has been operating in Romania since 2011 ENEVO Group announced the completion of the construction and commissioning of the photovoltaic park in Teius which allows the panels to automatically track the sun throughout the day The project in Alba County will produce enough clean energy annually to power over 25,000 households in Romania The plant was designed for mixed use and allows the use of the 80.5ha for both energy production and grazing activities for the benefit of the 130 livestock farmers in the area CEF Teiuș will produce over 103 GWh of electricity annually significantly contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions The total investment amounts to approximately 55 million euros making Teiuș the largest energy project financed through the PNRR The construction of the photovoltaic park and the transformer station was carried out by ENEVO Group in association with Alpin Sun and Electroalfa “ENEVO Group is increasingly part of what the energy industry understands by performance and pioneering The fact that a Romanian company has become in just 10 years a benchmark of innovation and quality in projects implemented in the country and on foreign markets says a lot about ENEVO’s know-how We are honoured to have been able to implement this project from all points of view a best practice in Romania” You must be logged in to post a comment Dutch solar project developer and asset owner Photon Energy Group said in its Q4 2024 financial results that it lost €1.5 million (US$1.57 million) on the sale of two operating solar PV power plants and a solar hybrid site in New South Wales the two solar PV plants have a combined generation capacity of 14.5MW while the development-stage solar-battery hybrid project has a capacity of 8.2MW/10.9MWh The systems are located in New South Wales and were sold to CleanPeak Energy an Australian-owned developer and owner of energy transition infrastructure in a €6 million deal completed in October 2024 are connected to the Essential Energy distribution network through 5MW grid connections These plants were constructed using single-axis tracking systems and bifacial solar modules to maximise energy yield throughout the day Most of the electricity generated by these power plants is sold into the National Electricity Market (NEM) while a small proportion is sold through a power purchase agreement (PPA) It is worth noting that the plants were initially developed using Large Generation Certificates (LGCs) to generate revenue with PPAs incorporated after the plant’s energisation Photon also said the transaction with CleanPeak included the divestment of an 8.2MW/10.9MWh hybrid solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project located in Boggabri Photon’s Australia portfolio generated a cumulative capacity of around 20,000MWh Photon said its overall portfolio electricity generation in Q4 2024 stood at 23.4GWh compared to 25.1 GWh in the comparable period last year and was down by -6.6% YoY due to the sale of 14.5 MWp in Australia which previously enabled Photon to offset the lower generation output of European power plants during the winter months In the New Zealand solar PV market, Far North Solar Farm a solar energy asset developer based in Auckland revealed that around 70% of the solar PV modules have been installed at the Pukenui Solar Farm with energisation scheduled for early 2025 Dutch developer and asset owner Photon Energy Group is carrying out the ongoing module installation electrical work and testing will begin before the 20.8MW solar PV plant is fully energised The plant is located on the northern tip of New Zealand’s north island In Europe, Photon recently inked an asset management contract for two Hungarian PV projects with a cumulative generation capacity of 101MWp Photon signed the contract with EDP Renováveis (EDPR) the Portuguese energy utility and project developer The company said it will “provide a full scope of asset management services commercial and financial management of the PV power plants to ensure optimal performance on behalf of EDPR.” Photon Energy said it will also take over another EDPR asset “in the future” we have upgraded our product offerings and features to bring you the best experience please check your email inbox for password reset message from PV Tech and follow the instructions Can\'t find the email? Try to sign in again and use the "Forgot Password" button If you have any questions please contact us Eurowind Energy’s Country Manager for Romania, Adrian Dobre signed a EUR 7.6 million grant from Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) for their battery project at the Teius solar farm Adrian Dobre signed the grant with Minister for Energy The 60 MW Teius is almost completed and will provide enough power to supply approx The 117 MWh battery will help balance the timing of production and consumption thereby reducing the cost of electricity for the Romanian consumers The National Recovery and Resilience Plans were designed to help EU-countries to bounce back after COVID the countries have updated their plans with new measures to save energy and diversify the EU’s energy supplies Eurowind Energy is a Danish company that specialises in the development Eurowind Energy projects benefiting from the first CfD auction Eurowind Energy also benefited from the first Contract for Difference (CfD) auction organized by the Romanian state with two wind projects with a total capacity of 90 MW The 66 MW Frumusita wind project and the 24 MW Vector wind project are among the 21 projects that have succeeded in obtaining CfD support from the Romanian state both projects must be operational no later than January 2028 Eurowind Energy has a significant project portfolio of almost 8 GW in Romania – and two projects under construction Denmark-based Eurowind Energy is building the Teiuș solar park of 60.2 MW in peak capacity in the Transylvania region 0 Eurowind Energy said it began construction works on its Teiuș solar park near the eponymous town in Alba county will generate an estimated 104 GWh per year Eurowind Energy estimated the carbon savings at just over 37,000 tons per year It expects to commission the Teiuș solar park in the summer The project was launched in July 2022 and the project firm is called Teiuș.Solar “The launch of the Teiuș Photovoltaic Park represents an important milestone in our strategy We are proud to contribute to Romania’s energy transition and to have begun construction of yet another renewable energy facility,” Country Manager Adrian Dobre said Last year the company started the construction of its 48 MW Pecineaga wind power plant in the Constanța county in the east It bought eight SG 6.6-170 turbines from Siemens Gamesa which will also maintain the system for 20 years The project is implemented through WEP Technology Investment in 2019 from former majority owner Iros Brave 21 controlled by businessman Nicolae Bârsan from Sibiu Be the first one to comment on this article 05 May 2025 - VDE Renewables found that SolarEdge’s advanced safety capabilities minimize photovoltaic system risks and effectively prevent fire hazards 02 May 2025 - The project is located in Constanța county recognized for its superior yields in green energy production 02 May 2025 - The Sunčana (Sunny) Vipava project envisages installing solar power plants with a combined capacity of 20 MW 30 April 2025 - OMV put into operation its 10 MW green hydrogen plant at the Schwechat refinery © CENTER FOR PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2008-2020 website developed by ogitive Danish renewable project developer Eurowind Energy has completed the installation of the transformer station at Teius solar park bringing the finalisation of the park one step closer Due to become operational in mid-October 2024 the project with a total installed capacity of 60,2 MW will produce approximately 103 MWh per year contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions by 37,125 tons annually was acquired through a competitive procurement process won by ENEVO Group and built to the highest standards of quality and safety the procurement contract with the supplier included the transport and commissioning of the transformer station and the 110/20 kV These will ensure the efficient integration of the energy produced into the national electrical grid The project is financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Program (NRRP) and developed by the beneficiary Teius Solar The park will integrate renewable electricity production with agricultural activities over the same land area This model allows 130 landowners to utilize the 80 hectares for agricultural purposes This innovative approach maximizes land use efficiency and contributes to mitigating climate effects exemplifying the potential of agrivoltaic projects worldwide Eurowind Energy shows that the project development pipeline significantly grew from 25 GW in 2021/22 to 34 GW in 2023 The growth was primarily driven by the Danish The danish company’s 70 MW photovoltaic park in Romania will combine electricity production with agriculture 0 The construction of the EUR 50 million agrivoltaic park located near Teiuş in the Romanian county of Alba The solar park will generate enough electricity to supply 30,000 homes while its projected annual electricity output is about 102 GWh 130 farmers will be able to use the land for their animals to graze 130 farmers will be able to use the 80-hectare land for their animals to graze which citied a press release from Eurowind Energy Agrisolar is slowly making its way into Southeastern Europe The combination of agriculture and solar power is slowly making its way into Southeastern Europe with a growing number of investors embracing agrivoltaics Recently, works were launched on Croatia’s first agrisolar power plant, in a project that will involve sheep farming. Earlier this year, Hungary-based BSD Invest Europe said it was planning to install a solar park with on the Serbian-Montenegrin border which would simultaneously be used for sheep farming and growing berries The Teiuş solar park is the fourth renewable energy project developed by Eurowind Energy in Romania The company has 12 operational energy parks across Europe with a combined capacity of 100 MW 05 May 2025 - The delegations from the two countries met on the sidelines of the 10th summit meeting of the Three Seas Initiative 05 May 2025 - The Trebinje 3 photovoltaic plant would have an installed capacity of 53.63 MW and an estimated annual production of 85.5 GWh completes the transformer station and approaches finalisation of the installation of photovoltaic panels for the Teiuș solar park Due to become operational in mid-October 2024 the project in Alba County will produce approximately 103.59 GWh annually an essential element of the Teiuș photovoltaic park was acquired through a competitive procurement process won by ENEVO GROUP SRL and built to the highest standards of quality and safety the beginning of the structural installation for the photovoltaic panels marks an important new step in the realization of this project With a total installed capacity of 60,2 MW the Teiuș photovoltaic park will produce enough green energy to power 25.000 households reducing CO2 emissions and promoting environmental conservation funded through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and developed by the beneficiary TEIUȘ SOLAR will support the fight against climate change by increasing the production of solar renewable energy in Alba County by 60,2 MW “We are extremely pleased to announce the finalization of the transformer station and the start of photovoltaic panel installation at the Teiuș solar park This project reflects our commitment to investing in Romania’s green and sustainable future and bringing significant benefits to the local community and the national economy.” said Adrian Dobre Country Manager Romania at Eurowind Energy Through the progress of the Teiuș solar park Eurowind Energy reaffirms its dedication to developing renewable energy projects that contribute to a more efficient and competitive economy and support global efforts to combat climate change the EU renewables arm of Ukrainian energy company DTEK has signed the largest physical solar power purchase agreement (PPA) in Romania with OMV Petrom the largest integrated energy producer in Southeastern Europe grouping three PPAs with OMV Petrom over an 8.5-year period for approximately 100GWh per year at a fixed rate including the sale of physical electricity and Guarantees of Origin Physical delivery will start in January 2026 with OMV Petrom purchasing 62% of the energy produced by DRI’s Glodeni I and Glodeni II solar plants – these projects have a combined capacity of 113MWp OMV Petrom will purchase 50% of the production from DRI’s Vacaresti 126MWp solar project “This is an important agreement for DRI and the Romanian renewables sector as the largest physical solar offtake deal ever in Romania Securing long term corporate offtake agreements is essential to facilitate renewable energy growth and it demonstrates that clean energy offers a competitive alternative We are delighted to have signed this deal with OMV Petrom one of the largest and strongest Romanian businesses we help to both accelerate Romania’s energy transition and OMV Petrom strategic goals,” John Stuart Energy produced by DRI projects not sold under the OMV Petrom PPA will be sold into the market by DTEK’s subsidiary D.TRADING DRI currently has 299MW in its portfolio in Romania including the first wind farm built in the country in a decade The company aims to deliver 1GW of renewable energy and battery storage projects in Romania by 2030 DRI now boasts a 1.3GW portfolio of operating projects construction projects and others in various stages of development – in line with its goal to build a 5GW portfolio by 2030 DRI has four priority countries it operates in: Croatia and battery storage projects in these countries DRI is driving sustainable energy solutions in Europe they have two projects in operation in Romania and another ten in various stages of development across the continent The Ruginoasa windfarm and Glodeni solar park are DRI’s first two operational projects and mark the inaugural step in DRI’s target to install 1,000MW renewable energy capacity in Romania the Ruginoasa windfarm and Glodeni solar park represent a combined investment of €150 million yielding an annual electricity output of 225,000 MWh This output translates to powering more than 58,500 homes annually while concurrently avoiding carbon emissions by 57,000 tonnes per year DRI will start the construction of a fourth project in Romania in the new year the Ruginoasa windfarm features ten on-shore Vestas V162-6.0 MW turbines Construction began in March 2023 and in just ten months the windfarm was operational and providing electricity to the grid It is the first wind farm built in Romania in a decade and is expected to have an energy production lifetime of over 30 years Project Glodeni I is a solar park with 53MWp capacity construction on the park commenced in March 2023 with grid connectivity achieved by January 2024 The project consists of three solar fields equipped with bifacing panels maximising energy capture from both frontal and rear aspects this project has an energy production lifetime of 30 years Project Glodeni II will be a solar park with 60MWp capacity is expected to be operational in the summer of 2025 and preparatory construction work started in 2024 will be located alongside DRI’s operational 53MW solar park in the same region The two projects combined will make one of the largest solar parks in the country in terms of size the world’s fourth largest renewable energy producer through its subsidiary EDP Renewables North America has completed the construction of the 200 MW Riverstart solar farm The company closed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Hoosier Energy Cooperative which will use the power generated by the solar farm to supply communities in central and southern Indiana and south-eastern Illinois is the largest solar farm by capacity in the state of Indiana and generates energy equivalent to the average consumption of more than 36,000 homes per year The construction of the park has resulted in the creation of 700 jobs in Randolph County with a consequent positive impact on the local economy several permanent on-site jobs will support the routine operations and maintenance of the solar farm EDPR is a leader in renewable energy in Indiana and is the largest wind power producer in the state with 1,200 MW of operating capacity. EDPR NA has wind and solar projects under development and construction throughout the state and, in total, has developed approximately 2,200 MW of renewable energy capacity an 80% equity shareholding was sold to Connor Clark & Lunn Infrastructure at the end of last year The company expects to further expand its presence in the country by successfully closing new PPAs that reinforce its low risk profile and its growth strategy based on competitive project development with long-term visibility This project reflects EDPR’s commitment to lead the energy transition, an objective that is part of its strategic plan, which includes a capex plan of around 19 billion euros to deploy around 20 GW of renewable energy by 2025. Riverstart Solar Park is located approximately 80 miles northeast of Indianapolis in eastern Indiana. Riverstart Solar Park has an installed capacity of 200 megawatts (MW). Riverstart’s generation is equivalent to the consumption of more than 38,000 Indiana homes. Riverstart Solar Park yields significant economic benefits to the community in the form of payments to landowners, local spending, and annual community investment. Riverstart represents a capital investment of approximately USD 180 million and will disperse millions in property tax payments to local governments and school districts over the life of the project. The project created approximately 700 full-time equivalent jobs during construction and 5 permanent jobs during the life of the project. Through the project’s lifecycle, millions of dollars will be spent within 50 miles of the solar park. Riverstart Solar Park saves more than 355 million gallons of water each year and displaces carbon emissions from fossil fuel power plants, a major contributor to climate change. Solar energy also enhances air quality by helping to mitigate the health effects of harmful air pollutants. Riverstart Solar Park is compatible with other land uses and will provide a stable form of income to local landowners. More than USD 54 million will be paid to the solar park’s landowners through the life of the project. These supportive landowners participate in long-term lease agreements. Riverstart Solar Park consists of thousands of photovoltaic solar panels mounted on a single-axis tracking system for a combined output of 200 MW. Photovoltaic solar cells have no moving parts and convert sunlight directly into electricity via the photoelectric effect. This direct-current electricity is then collected, transformed into alternating-current, and finally enters the electrical grid through a substation after being converted to the proper voltage. The term of the contract is two years, and Hidroelectrica is awaiting bids from consultants for the studies needed to start the project by October 12, 2023. The contract award criterion is “best value for money”, where the price has a weighting of only 40% in the score. The rest of the score is awarded for the experience of the key personnel, i.e., the project coordinator – 26%, and the ANRE certified designer – 10%, and for the work plan and resources used – 24%. The future photovoltaic park, which will be among the largest in Europe, will be built on land leased directly from the State Property Agency (ADS). The project has already been declared by the Supreme Council of National Defence to be of national importance. Hidroelectrica estimates in the specifications that 2,200 hectares will be used for the photovoltaic park, which will have a capacity of 1,500 MW, while about 3,000 hectares are available. The location is the best in Romania for a photovoltaic park, with a solar radiation level of 1,400 kWh/sqm/year, the highest in the country. The project would also benefit from a 300 MW storage facility and would be connected to the 400 kV Tantareni-Kozlodui line. At its optimal operating level, the PV park can produce about 1.75 TWh of electricity per year. However, the feasibility study is a lengthy process, including both the technical and the permitting parts. As far as the approvals are concerned, things are a bit more complicated here, because we are talking about the environmental ones, which are extremely restrictive. Considering this, the study is expected to take about a year and a half to complete. Another very important project of Hidroelectrica is the construction of a floating photovoltaic system with an installed capacity of 300 MW in Brasov County, on a reservoir fed by the Olt River. The company launched the tender for the purchase of a feasibility study in January this year, the contract has already been awarded and should be ready in about a year and a half. To build it, Hidroelectrica wants to use a site on which a 27 MW hydropower plant was planned before 1989, but which was abandoned because it was not economically justified. The photovoltaic park should be ready sometime in 2024, if things go well, it will be located within the ‘Mandra’ development on the Olt River, in the basin of the former Fagaras-Hoghiz reservoir. The energy that will be produced here would feed the hydrogen production unit that the company wants to build at Ostrov, near the Iron Gates on the Danube. A feasibility study is also pending for its construction, which would also establish the value of the investment. The green hydrogen production unit on the Olt River, extracted by electrolysis of water, would be designed for a capacity of 15,000 tonnes per year. Hidroelectrica is aiming for a target sales price for hydrogen from Mandra of EUR 4 per kilogram by 2026. At 15,000 tonnes per year, the minimum production, this would mean that the plant would generate revenues of around EUR 60 million annually. Hydrogen would be extracted at a minimum yield of 75% and would be of the ‘ultra-high purity’ type, i.e., the purest possible. Hidroelectrica reported a net profit of RON 3.94 billion for the first half of the year, up 46% compared to the first six months of the previous year, amid rising energy production. The profit achieved at mid-year is almost equal to that achieved for the whole year 2022, which was RON 4.4 billion. The company has seen exponential growth in the supply segment, reaching almost 550,000 customers at the end of the first half of the year. Hidroelectrica operates 182 hydropower plants and five pumping stations, with a total installed hydropower generation capacity of 6.3 GW. They are supplemented by Crucea wind farm, with an installed power of 108 MW. Hidroelectrica was listed this year on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. Eurowind Energy, a Danish developer and operator of wind, solar and hybrid projects, will start in October the works for the construction of a new PV park, with a capacity of 70 MW, located near the town of Teius, Alba County. The construction of the park represents the company’s fourth project in Romania and will involve an investment of 50 million euros. The PV park from Teius is the fourth renewable energy project developed by Eurowind Energy in Romania, the company having 12 operational energy parks in Europe with a capacity of 100 MW. The other local projects are the photovoltaic parks from Halchiu, Măgurele (both built in 2013) and Pufesti (built in 2012), each with a capacity of 2,03 MW, 3,38 MW, respectively 1,5 MW, summing up a capacity of approx. 7 MW. Scheduled to become operational next year, in 2024, the PV park in Teius will be developed on 80 hectares of land and will have 119,184 photovoltaic modules, with a total capacity of 70MW, generating 102.05 GWh per year. Thus, the new project will be able to supply electricity annually for up to 30,050 households. Once construction is completed, Eurowind Energy will retain ownership of the photovoltaic park. The new agrovoltaic park from Teius will combine the production of electricity from renewable sources (photovoltaic panels) with agriculture, thus contributing to the development of the area both in terms of energy and agricultural activities. 130 owners will be able to use the 80 hectares of land on which the park is built for agricultural purposes, with access for their animals to graze. With a very high potential for development around the world, the concept of agrovoltaic project involves the sharing of the same area of land for both solar PV energy production and agriculture, thus maximizing the available resources and contributing to the mitigation of climate effects. Discovery could ‘redefine solar efficiency in the near future’ I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Scientists have discovered a new material that could radically improve the efficiency of next-generation solar panels A team from Lehigh University in the US developed a material capable of achieving an absorption efficiency rate of 190 per cent of the theoretical efficiency limit for traditional silicon-based solar cells “This work represents a significant leap forward in our understanding and development of sustainable energy solutions highlighting innovative approaches that could redefine solar energy efficiency and accessibility in the near future,” said Chinedu Ekuma a professor of physics at Lehigh University Tests of the material showed that it performed particularly well when absorbing infrared light and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum The material achieved an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 190 per cent – an important method for measuring the efficiency of a solar cell The EQE rate represents the generation of one electron for each photon absorbed from sunlight Collecting more than one electron from one photon is possible with the new material the new material takes advantage of something called the ‘van der Waals gaps’ – atomically small gaps between layered two-dimensional materials “Its rapid response and enhanced efficiency strongly indicate the potential of Cu-intercalated GeSe/SnS as a quantum material for use in advanced photovoltaic applications offering an avenue for efficiency improvements in solar energy conversion,” said Professor Ekuma “It’s a promising candidate for the development of next-generation which will play a crucial role in addressing global energy needs.” Professor Ekuma and his team now plans to turn this experimental material into one that can be integrated into current renewable energy systems. The research was detailed in a study, ‘Chemically tuned intermediate band states in atomically thin CuxGeSe/SnS quantum material for photovoltaic applications’, published in the journal Science Advances on Wednesday. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies but also about the company’s plans in Romania Eurowind Energy started the infrastructure and facilities construction for the Pecineaga wind park which will become operational in Q1 2025 and represent the company’s biggest wind power project in Romania so far the Danish developer and operator of wind projects and hybrid intends to become one of the most important companies in the renewable energy sector in our country the Country Manager of Eurowind Energy Romania since 2010 has a distinguished academic and professional background in Wind Engineering and Aerodynamics His educational journey began at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest where he earned a master’s degree with his thesis focused on the “Aerodynamics of propeller blades.” Further advancing his expertise in Wind Engineering at the University of Western Ontario in Canada specializing in Environmental Aerodynamics titled “Experimental investigations of bluff bodies wakes,” contributed significantly to the field He played a key role in the British DAPPLE project where he coordinated and interpreted meteorological measurements This project was pivotal in modelling air pollution and developing rapid response strategies for toxic gas terrorist attacks Adrian Dobre is an international-recognized expert in the field of Wind Engineering and Aerodynamics with 19 scientific papers published in widely recognized international journals such as AIAA Journal (SUA) International Journal of Climatology (Royal Meteorological Society He’s a member of ARIV (Romanian Wind Engineering Association) and a former associate professor at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest where he has held courses on Atmospheric Physics how did the Eurowind Energy story begin in Romania What were the criteria that determined the involvement of the Danish group in the energy sector in our country our approach was primarily driven by opportunities where we seized the chance to develop and construct three solar parks We started with the photovoltaic park in Pufesti and continued with two other solar projects in Halchiu and Magurele in 2013 Today we are planning renewable projects of approximately 4,000 MW In the past 12 years since we have been present on the Romanian market we have so far developed three solar parks and a Competence Centre of Wind Energy whose contributions play a key role in all the markets in which we operate Even if the first parks we have developed in Romania were small compared to the current standard at the time they were among the largest in Romania Among the key elements that led the group to invest in Romania were the size of the country its attitude towards the green transition and finally the proficiency of the local workforce The local team is highly appreciated within the ground Eurowind Energy has Romanian employees not only in Romania The Competence Centre for Wind Power of Eurowind Energy is in Bucharest This means that the design and configuration of any wind park in the 16 markets in which we operate is designed by the Romanian team – a team we’re extremely proud of Eurowind Energy could have placed the centre in any other location in Europe but Romanian aerospace engineers were an important reason why the centre was developed here How is Romania positioned compared to other countries in the region in terms of interest in developing renewable energy projects Adrian Dobre: In comparison to other countries in the region Romania is one of the leading countries in terms of renewable energy development According to the Global Energy Renewable Energy Report 2021 by the International Energy Agency Romania’s renewable energy capacity increased by 1.2 GW only in 2020 with wind and solar power accounting for most of the growth The report also highlights that Romania is among the top five countries in the region in terms of installed wind power capacity and among the top ten countries in the region in terms of installed solar power capacity a report published by EY Romania highlights that Romania has already achieved its 2020 EU renewable target of 24% of final energy consumption coming from renewables several years ago To reach its 2030 renewables target of 30.7% Romania plans to add around 7 GW of new renewables capacity of which around 3.7 GW is projected to be solar projects I think it’s very important to maintain this advantage otherwise some foreign investments will go elsewhere Eurowind Energy is also active in Bulgaria and Slovakia How do you estimate the potential of renewable energy in Romania especially the evolution of the market in this sector recently Adrian Dobre: I believe the potential is almost unlimited which will grow significantly in the future There is room for renewable energy sources and more electricity is needed Romania has a stable framework for investors These are key elements that make Romania an important market for us Everything that can be electrified will be electrified This means that in the coming years we not only have to replace energy from fossil fuels with renewable sources but we also must cover a very large increase in energy consumption this also involves managing two major challenges: lack of grid and bureaucracy everywhere there is a tendency to build power grids and gas pipelines based on current trends not future ones – so the power distribution companies tend to make up lost ground This is not a specific problem for Romania which stands in the way of the green transition Related to bureaucracy – naturally we would like to see less bureaucracy not only in Romania but in every country in Europe In Eurowind Energy’s home country of Denmark the average time required to develop and build an onshore wind farm is seven years Denmark calls itself the “Home of Wind Power” and is known for its northern European efficiency but for the past three years they have taken down more wind turbines than they have put up bureaucracy is a challenge in all the countries where we operate Nowadays solar and wind are competitive with all other technologies we must realize that integrating renewable energy into the energy system and removing all fossil fuels from the system is a multi-generational task Increasing Romania’s energy sustainability requires expanding the production and use of renewable energy What role does Eurowind Energy play in achieving these goals Adrian Dobre: Eurowind Energy is one of the biggest developers of renewable energy in Romania We have the advantage of being active in Romania since the first phase of investments in renewables We know Romania very well – the landowners electricity distribution companies as well as other stakeholders We also have the advantage of mastering many technologies: wind Those help us to combine these technologies in energy centres we have a project pipeline of more than 4 GW with a solar park and a wind park under construction which we expect both to be delivering energy into Romanian households very soon Everything we build today we expect to own and operate for the next 30-40 years Eurowind Energy is here to stay for the long term We don’t see us slowing down in the coming years We plan to step up our efforts and aim to make PtX and biogas alongside power production what are the most important investments of Eurowind Energy in Romania and the sources of financing Adrian Dobre: I would say there are two things worth mentioning When the first wave of renewables in Romania fizzled out in 2012-2013 Staying calm and having so much faith in the Romanian market for several years was remarkable and it was also a real investment from Eurowind Energy The other investment I want to mention is the Pecineaga Wind Park This is one of the first projects in the second wave of renewables that is happening right now in Romania It was rewarding to press the green button in ordering wind turbines for the Romanian market after almost 10 years marked only by development What are the most important projects currently underway and what capacity are we talking about Is there interest only in onshore projects or also in offshore Adrian Dobre: We are currently working on several major projects – reaching the 4 GW pipeline which are in various stages of development Today we have around 10 wind and solar projects with a Technical Connection Approval Our plan is to make additional financial investment decisions regarding these Romanian projects in 2024 As these projects progress and reach a more advanced stage I will be more than pleased to provide further details and insights about them Eurowind Energy has not made any development in this sphere but through an acquisition we own the world’s oldest operation offshore wind park but our Head of Service is convinced we can make those turbines run another 30 years You announced that the Pecineaga wind park is a national first Can you give us more technical details about this project Adrian Dobre: The Pecineaga wind park will be the biggest wind project for us in Romania showcasing the commitment and trust we have in the local market It is not only the most important under construction project for us in Romania but will also be a first nationally – the largest wind turbines to be installed for this specific project The wind park will feature towers standing at a height of 135 meters anticipated to produce 176,000 MWh of electricity annually This output is sufficient to supply clean energy to approximately 48,000 households The project represents an investment of 79 million euros We have chosen Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy as the supplier of turbines for this wind park They will provide 8 units of their SG 6.6-170 turbines and undertake the operations and maintenance of this wind energy project for a 20-year period How does Eurowind Energy integrate innovative technological solutions into its own projects Adrian Dobre: We integrate innovative technological solutions into our projects by developing a diverse range of renewable energy sources and advanced technologies We build both standalone solar and wind farms These centres combine various energy-generating and storage technologies such as solar panels The cornerstone of our strategy is solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbines which are the primary sources of green power in our projects This green power is then utilized in other segments of the energy centre as it enables us to provide balancing services to the electricity grid helping to stabilize it and manage demand fluctuations Electrolysis is another critical element in our energy centres and medium-sized energy parks It plays a significant role in hydrogen production which is essential for our renewable energy projects we are progressing in integrating Power-to-X (PtX) technologies PtX represents a key part of our park’s infrastructure allowing for the conversion of electricity into other energy forms thereby broadening our renewable energy portfolio and capabilities which combine agriculture and photovoltaic energy production We’re already witnessing the progress of agrivoltaic projects in France Agrivoltaic projects offer a compelling solution by enabling dual use of the land addressing multiple challenges simultaneously it’s important to acknowledge that agrivoltaic projects are transitioning from the testing and conceptual phase to large-scale implementation This is a critical juncture where the concept must prove its viability and effectiveness on a larger scale Eurowind Energy is at the forefront of this movement in Romania with the construction of a new 70 MW PV park near Teius representing an investment of 50 million euros is part of our larger commitment to developing sustainable energy solutions in Romania will span 80 hectares and is expected to generate enough electricity to power about 30,050 households How does Eurowind Energy approach the transition to clean energy What are your strategies and tools in this regard Adrian Dobre: We believe that fossil fuels are at and endgame and within a generation or two the energy business will emerge as new “Power Majors” and eventually replace the “Oil Majors” as the dominant force The “Power Majors” business will be based on renewable energy and cover a complete value chain from the development of greenfield projects to the trading of energy One of the reasons why the “Oil Majors” have held for years a powerful position beyond the energy industry is partly because of their value chain we anticipate that the large renewable energy producers will hold the key to occupying a similar position in the market Producing the actual power will be the key to the next steps of the value chain and will impact the industry and beyond Eurowind Energy has defined a “Power Major” as a company that has a generation capacity of at least 20 GW a development portfolio of at least 100 GW and an annual construction activity of 4 GW What are the plans of the Eurowind Energy group in Romania and what development directions do they aim for in the medium and long term What will be the total renewable energy capacity generated per year Adrian Dobre: Our plans in Romania are part of a larger ambitious strategy aimed at significant growth in the renewable energy sector we are focused on expanding our presence not only within Romania but also by entering one to two new markets each year This expansion strategy is twofold: it involves growing our development portfolio with new projects and enhancing our operating portfolio by bringing these projects to fruition our efforts are currently centred around a robust pipeline of approximately 4 GW of renewable energy projects This pipeline includes around 10 wind and solar projects that have already secured Technical Connection Approval indicating their readiness for the next stages of development Our plan for 2024 involves making decisive financial investment decisions to propel these projects forward The Pecineaga project is a standout initiative in our portfolio reflecting our dedication to expanding renewable energy sources in Romania is a testament to our commitment to the country’s green energy transition we aim to substantially contribute to Romania’s renewable energy output reinforcing our position as a key player in the global shift towards sustainable energy practices