Engie Romania completes one of country’s first hybrid power plants

Engie Romania added a hybrid power plant to the transmission grid. The 56.8 MW facility consists of wind turbines and a solar power unit.

The energy landscape in Romania is rapidly changing as the government and investors are intensifying the energy transition. In April, Monsson Group set up the first segments of the country’s first wind-solar-battery hybrid power plant in the spring, while in the meantime Engie Romania combined wind turbines with photovoltaics.

The new facility is in the Gemenele commune in Brăila county. It has 56.8 MW in combined capacity. The hybrid power plant, located in Romania’s east, in the Muntenia region, will generate 140 GWh per year, the subsidiary of France-based Engie said. It is equivalent to the electricity needs of 46,800 domestic households.

With the new complex on the transmission grid, Engie Romania lifted its capacity in the country to 211 MW. It consists of three wind power plants of 178 MW in total and five photovoltaic units.

Small solar park paired with wind farm

The Gemenele project started with a wind farm of 47.5 MW. It is next to the now operational solar park of 9.3 MW in peak capacity, spanning 14 hectares.

The PV system contains 17,100 bifacial modules on metal trackers that follow sunlight. The two units have a joint grid connection, making them one of the first hybrid power plants in Romania, according to Engie Romania.

Solar and wind power are largely complementary. Wind is stronger in the winter and there is more of it at night than during the day, while PV facilities only work when there is sun.

“We are pleased to inaugurate the first hybrid power plant in the company’s portfolio. It is an investment that will allow us to offer our customers electricity from renewable sources, considering that, for legal entities, we can propose medium and long-term purchase contracts, thus supporting them in achieving their goals of reducing carbon emissions and predictability of energy costs”, said Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Engie Romania Cristian Buzan.

Another 37.2 MW photovoltaic facility is under construction

Notably, last year the company began the construction of a solar power plant in the Ariceștii Rahtivani commune. The project in Prahova county is for 37.2 MW in peak power.

The firm also distributes gas, supplies gas and electricity and offers technical services in Romania. It has an ambition to expand into electricity distribution. The 2030 goal for renewables in the country is 1 GW.

The country’s renewables boom is led by photovoltaics, mostly by prosumers and local authorities building solar power plants for their own needs. As for obstacles, grid congestion and the lack of storage are the biggest issues, like elsewhere.

Notably, transmission system operator Transelectrica reportedly doesn’t see coal power plants having any share in Romania’s transmission system in 2026 and beyond. The official phaseout deadline is 2032.

Of note, the Ministry of Energy in Bucharest owns 37% of Engie Romania.