The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will support future renewable energy auctions in Romania, as stated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on December 6 by Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja and EBRD Head of Romania Victoria Zinchuk.
“We are looking forward to support further the Ministry of Energy and contribute to scaling up private sector investments in the sector,” said Victoria Zinchuk.
In September, Romania launched its first auction for 1.5 GW of renewable energy capacity, including 500 MW of solar PV and 1 GW of onshore wind, supported by a Contract for Difference (CfD) mechanism. This effort is part of Romania’s commitment to increasing renewable energy generation.
The Memorandum outlines EBRD and Romania’s goals for future initiatives, including a second round of renewable energy auctions by the end of 2025. It also emphasises the development of a support scheme for energy storage and necessary regulatory reforms to connect storage capacities to various energy markets.
“This partnership will facilitate the creation of a modern energy system, capable of meeting Romania’s energy needs and fostering investments in renewable sources, including by initiating a new round of auctions for capacities totalling 3,500 MW. It represents a decisive step toward ensuring the energy stability and resilience that are more crucial than ever,” said Minister Burduja.
Investing in renewable energy is essential for Romania to meet its climate commitments in the National Energy and Climate Plan, which targets 38.3% renewable energy in gross final energy consumption by 2030 and 44% by 2035.
EBRD prioritises its Renewable Energy Programme to foster private sector investment through supportive policies and competitive auctions. It assists 16 countries and has facilitated over 5,000 MW of capacity through 15 auctions in seven countries.
In Romania, the EBRD supports the shift to cleaner energy. This year, it financed nearly 1 GW of renewable capacity across six projects, totalling over €180 million, which has attracted almost €1 billion in additional funding. The EBRD has invested about €11.5 billion in 550 projects in Romania.
