European Energy boosts Romanian renewables project pipeline to nearly 1 GW

Denmark-based renewable energy company European Energy has increased its solar and wind development pipeline in Romania to 935 MW. The company’s Romanian subsidiary is now developing nine solar projects, with a combined capacity of 810 MW, and one wind farm, of 125 MW.

European Energy said the construction of its first solar park in Romania, with a capacity of 20 MW, is scheduled to start in 2023. It has also received grid connection approval for another project, of 125 MW, which is well under way. The company entered the Romanian market a year ago by taking over Electra Norte Eolian, the developer of a 90 MW wind farm project.

European Energy intends to use renewables in Romania to produce green hydrogen and e-methanol

The company revealed plans in a press release to use renewable energy in Romania to fuel power-to-X technologies, such as green hydrogen and e-methanol. European Energy already has several power-to-X projects under development in Denmark, using electricity from solar and wind power plants in the production of e-fuels.

Romania still lacks regulatory framework for offshore wind, agrivoltaics, and power-to-X

European Energy believes that Romania will meet the target for renewables in final energy consumption by 2030, which is expected to be significantly increased. However, the company noted that the administrative procedures for project development and grid connections are still long and complicated, while the country is also lacking a regulatory framework for offshore wind, agrivoltaics, and power-to-X.

At the end of 2021, Romania had about 3 GW of wind power and almost 1.5 GW of solar power, the company noted, citing data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). By 2030, the country could add more than 2 GW of wind capacity.

European Energy plans to develop 10 GW of renewables in the US

In the United States, European Energy’s subsidiary EE North America has recently announced plans to develop 10 GW of renewable energy by 2026. European Energy was founded in 2004 and has a current project pipeline of 40 GW in markets across the world, according to its press release.