Photo: DRI
DRI, the renewables arm in the European Union of Ukraine-based DTEK, has received the commercial operating license for its Văcărești solar park from the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority. It marked the start of full regular operations for 126 MW in peak capacity.
With the commissioning of Văcărești, DRI’s total installed and operational capacity in Romania reached 299 MW. The solar power plant near Bucharest in Romania delivered the first megawatt-hours to the grid five months ago. The latest milestone was the commercial operating license for the 126 MW in peak capacity, from the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE).
Located in Dâmbovița county, the Văcărești solar park is expected to generate enough electricity to supply 50,000 households per year, while avoiding around 48,600 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, according to the company. It calculated the figures from Romanian and EU statistics, respectively.
Renewables are critically important amid geopolitical tensions
DRI is Ukraine-based DTEK’s renewables arm in the EU. In just a few years, it built four renewable electricity plants in Romania. Solar park Glodeni 1 has 53 MW in peak capacity and a 49.1 MW grid connection, compared to Glodeni 2’s 60 MW and 49.9 MW, respectively. The company also operates the 60 MW Ruginoasa wind farm, the first in Romania after more than a decade.
DRI plans further expansion in Romania
“Our portfolio — comprising three solar parks and one wind farm — is already actively contributing to Romania’s energy transition by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and helping stabilise energy costs. This is particularly critical in the current context of heightened geopolitical tensions, which continue to exert significant pressure on energy markets across Europe. We remain committed to further expanding our presence in Romania and delivering long-term value for our stakeholders,” said Chief Executive Officer Murat Çinar.
Construction lasted less than one year
The construction of Văcărești was completed in less than a year. Notably, it will supply half of its output to oil and gas producer and integrated energy company OMV Petrom from January 2027, under Romania’s largest-ever physical solar power purchase agreement (PPA). It was signed in December 2024, half a year after DRI took over the project.
DTEK earlier said it would sell the rest of the electricity into the market through its subsidiary D.Trading.
DRI, headquartered in Amsterdam, said it would invest in battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Romania. It is developing a project pipeline in Croatia, Italy and Poland.
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