Photo: Wirestock on Freepik
Denmark-based Eurowind Energy revealed plans to build nine wind power plants in the Botoșani county in Romania by 2031. Their total capacity would be 1.2 GW. In neighboring Bulgaria, German-Bulgarian company Geo Power is developing a hybrid facility of up to 600 MW in wind power and 150 MW of solar power together with energy storage and electrolyzers.
The wind power segment in Romania, and especially Bulgaria, is lagging behind the solar power boom. Too much photovoltaics around noon tend to overload the grid while rapid weather changes cut supply, so the system can also crash. An optimal mix with wind power is beneficial for balancing, while batteries and other kinds of energy storage have become essential.
Danish company Eurowind Energy, which has just erected all wind turbines at its Pecineaga plant in Romania, launched another giant wind power project. It is planning nine wind parks in Botoșani county in the country’s northeast.
Eurowind Energy estimates investment at EUR 1 billion
The developer aims to complete the investment of 1.2 GW in overall capacity by 2031. The next stage is a dialogue with local communities, authorities and stakeholders.
“With a total investment estimated at over EUR 1 billion, this wind farm could not only strengthen Romania’s renewable energy capacity, but also allow the country to become an important energy exporter in the region,” country manager Adrian Dobre said.
The company added that it has obtained land rights and an initial urban planning approval and submited a grid connection application. There aren’t any other details, but if the onshore wind complex is integrated, it would currently be the biggest in Europe. The largest wind power plant in Romania, at 600 MW, is Fântânele-Cogealac-Gradina.
Geo Power developing project for giant hybrid power plant with electrolyzers in Bulgaria
In neighboring Bulgaria, Geo Power is working on a hybrid wind-solar-battery project that would enable a constant electricity supply. The location is in the northeastern Silistra province.
According to a web presentation, the complex would consist of up to 600 MW in wind power capacity, up to 150 MW of solar power, up to 200 MW in energy storage and electrolyzers for green hydrogen of as much as 400 MW.
Geo Power targets 2029 for commissioning
Together with power purchase agreements (PPAs), the photovoltaics segment could grow to 400 MW, which is also the target for energy storage, the German-Bulgarian company added.
The target commissioning date is 2029. Geo Power is a minority partner in the 156 MW wind power plant Saint Nikola, the largest in Bulgaria. Controlled by AES, the facility was completed 15 years ago.
Of note, investors in wind power in northeastern Bulgaria are facing increased opposition from local communities, farmers and environmental activists.
Eurowind Energy is also building a 238 MW solar power plant in Yambol in neighboring Bulgaria, with Renalfa IPP. They plan to add wind turbines and batteries.
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