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Coal land of Romanian state-owned CE Oltenia is undergoing transformation with the beginning of construction of four photovoltaic plants. The projects, which the company is conducting with OMV Petrom, are for 550 MW in combined capacity. In a separate partnership, with Tinmar Energy, 280 MW more is in development.
Almost four years after the European Union approved the grants from the Modernisation Fund and the start of negotiations between Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CE Oltenia) and OMV Petrom about a partnership, their four solar power projects of 550 MW in total peak capacity reached the construction phase. They would cover the equivalent of an estimated 410,000 Romanian households’ annual consumption, the update adds.
The largest integrated energy company in Southeastern Europe and Romania’s main coal power producer are building the photovoltaic systems in Ișalnița, Tismana, and Rovinari in the coal region in the counties of Dolj and Gorj. CE Oltenia and OMV Petrom expect the facilities to become operational next year.
OMV Petrom, CE Oltenia partnership receives first tranche of EU funding
Total investment is over EUR 400 million, with 70% financed through the Modernisation Fund. There are four joint ventures, in which the partners hold 50% each. Just this month, they received the first EUR 16 million, the announcement reveals.
The locations are on CE Oltenia’s coal land. They are aimed at partly substituting the power plants there, as Romania is heading for a coal exit by 2032.
“Through these projects, OMV Petrom reaffirms its commitment to a low-carbon energy future, contributing to Romania’s and the EU’s climate objectives. We are transforming a region with a long-standing tradition in coal-based energy into a renewable energy hub,” said Franck Neel, member of OMV Petrom’s Executive Board responsible for Gas and Power.
Ameresco and Sunel won three contracts together, and Turkey-based Girişim is in charge of the fourth one
Following tenders, contractors for the design and execution were picked in April. The consortium of United States–based Ameresco and Sunel is tasked with the projects Rovinari Est, Tismana 1, and Tismana 2. The latter company is registered in the United Kingdom, but its operational headquarters are in Athens, Greece. The capacity amounts to 460 MW.
Turkish company Girişim Elektrik is in charge of the fourth endeavor. The site is a slag deposit at the CE Ișalnița coal-fired power plant. Per earlier documentation, the contractors will operate the solar power systems for three years and transfer them to the owners.
Coal miners becoming PV installers
OMV Petrom said it is supporting the RenewAcad program in the nearby city of Târgu Jiu, where CE Oltenia is seated.
In the past two years, over 200 mining technicians have been retrained as photovoltaic system installers. The initiative is part of a broader effort. It involved training over 10,000 professionals for Romania’s energy transition, the company added.
Another 280 MW of solar power is in pipeline
CE Oltenia, also known as CEO, runs another four PV projects totaling 280 MW in planned peak capacity with its partner Tinmar Energy. They received 13 bids and the procedure is ongoing.
The partnership model is the same, and so is the share of investment that the Modernisation Fund covers. The locations are slag and ash deposits at coal plants Rovinari and Turceni, and external dumps Pinoasa and Bohorelu.
The fifth partnership between CE Oltenia and Tinmar is for a CCGT (combined-cycle gas turbine) power plant of 475 MW in Turceni. It is suffering heavy delays. The Modernisation Fund has approved a grant for 50% of the investment.
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