By the end of 2026, 5 GW of energy storage is to be built in Romania

Romania is another European country planning to significantly expand its investments in energy storage. According to the Minister of Energy, at least 2.5 GW of battery systems will be built by the end of next year, with the goal of reaching 5 GW a year later.

Romania is focusing on renewable energy!

Data from DG ENER and Eurostat show that Romania’s energy mix is primarily composed of renewable sources, which accounted for 48% of the electricity supply. The second largest source was energy produced by two nuclear reactors at 19%, followed by coal and gas power plants at 17% and 16%, respectively. The US International Trade Administration indicates that the largest shares of clean energy sources in Romania are from wind farms (28.55%), hydroelectric power plants (24.05%), and nuclear power plants (14.65%).

Romania’s current energy strategy includes the construction of new nuclear reactors. Two Candu units are to be built in Cernavoda by 2031, and the existing units will undergo renovations to extend their service life by another 30 years. Meanwhile, solar energy is rapidly developing through the construction of photovoltaic farms. Additionally, a feasibility study was completed less than two months ago to explore the potential for building offshore installations in the Romanian part of the Black Sea.

Energy storage in Romania

Energy Minister Sebastian Burduji has announced that Romania’s energy storage capacity is set to grow significantly over the next few years: “In total, by the end of next year, we should have at least 2,500 MW of storage capacity, and by 2026, we should exceed 5,000 MW. These goals are ambitious but align with Transelectrica’s recommendations and analyses, which indicate the need for at least 4,000 MW of storage.” In a social media post, the minister emphasized that a lack of investment in battery systems is one of the reasons for high energy prices in Romania.

The country has allocated around €80 million ($87 million) under its National Recovery and Resilience Plan for energy storage projects, aiming for signed contracts totaling 1.8 GW of capacity. Applications are currently being assessed, and the first contracts are expected to be signed in September.

Source: pv-magazine.com