Romanian construction firm preparing to build 230 MW of photovoltaics

RICHRBT is about to start the installation of the first of the four solar power plants in its project pipeline in Romania. The others are scheduled to follow early next year. They have 230 MW in total capacity.

Until just recently, the media in Southeastern Europe was swamped with news on dozens of major new wind and solar power plant projects every month and updates on the paperwork. In the meantime, a trove of proposed investments in Romania as well as in Greece and Bulgaria finally reached a ready-to-build phase. Contractors have their hands full. One in Romania, RICHRBT, saw in time the opportunity for a bigger piece of the action.

The company, active in civil and industrial construction, announced via domestic media outlets that it would begin works in September on the first solar power plant in a portfolio of four units. Located in southern Romania, they have 230 MW in total capacity.

RICHRBT to cover all four PV endeavors with own funds

The facility in the Bolintin-Deal commune in Giurgiu county would have 40 MW. The firm scheduled the start of installation of the three remaining ones for early next year. It said it would fully fund them itself.

An 80 MW photovoltaic facility is planned to be built in Joiţa commune. Ulmi is set to host a 60 MW. The last solar park would be in Bolintin-Vale, neighboring Bolintin-Deal. All the sites are in the Giurgiu area in the Muntenia region and are just a few kilometers from each other.

Ambition for 2027 is 900 MW in total

RICHRBT pointed to the significance of its project pipeline for the local economy in terms of job creation and attracting investments in renewables. The company, established nine years ago, has a turnover of EUR 700 million.

“In the next three years we want to establish another 12 parks, because we want to reach a total capacity of 900 MW by 2027. I hope we have the appropriate support from a legislative point of view and from the Romanian Government,” said Reman Henk Jonah Rutger, who founded RICHRBT.

He said the firm is committed to continuing to invest in sustainable and innovative projects.

Breaking ground on increasing number of renewables projects

As for other developments in the sector in Romania, Greece-based Public Power Corp. (PPC) began the construction of a 140 MW wind farm. There are more acquisitions of mature projects as well.

Earlier this month, Electrica completed the acquisition New Trend Energy. The project firm brought the Satu Mare 3 photovoltaic project of 57 MW, on the territory of the Doba commune, to a ready-to-build phase. The electricity distribution and supply utility bought it from Emanuel Muntmark, who controls Monsson, and Cătălin Mrejeru.

The EUR 3.25 million deal was actually agreed three years ago, Economica.net reported.

Earlier, Econergy received the approval for the connection of its solar power project for 34 MW in peak capacity to the transmission grid. The Mircea Vodă site is in Dobrogea or Dobruja, in eastern Romania.

A subsidiary of the Israeli company also got network connection terms for a 27 MW solar park in Dobrogea, in Vânători in Constanța county. It expects it would bring both facilities online next year.

Transitioning from agriculture investment toward solar power

Shikun and Binui Energy secured a EUR 49 million loan a month ago for a 101 MW photovoltaic endeavor in the northwest. It also has a new transmission network connection approval for its proposed Gold-Wind wind farm of 376 MW near Constanța. However, its target completion date is by the end of 2028.

BayWa r.e. recently bought a 46 MW photovoltaic park in Constanța county and obtained the connection approval for a 245 MW solar power plant in Giurgiu county. The latter is called Tălgat and it is slated to be completed by the end of 2028.

Notably, many investors in renewables in Romania, like Shikun and Binui, have actually first entered the real estate market. Some have bought vast agricultural areas. One of the examples is Gabriele Bellini from Italy. One of his firms is developing a solar plant project with an installed power of 500 MW in Arad county, Profit.ro has found. Bellini has been present in the market since early 1990s.