Hidroelectrica eyes 2 GW in solar, wind projects

Romania’s state-owned power utility Hidroelectrica is looking at wind and solar projects with a combined capacity of 2,000 MW as part of the effort to diversify its production portfolio with renewable energy capacities.

Hidroelectrica currently operates hydropower plants with an installed capacity of 6.4 GW. It also operates one wind farm, Crucea, acquired at the end of 2020.

Bogdan Badea, the company’s general manager, said Hidroelectrica is in various due diligence phases for wind and solar photovoltaic projects with a planned capacity of 2 GW in total.

“Our focus is to increase the production capacities with green power plants,” he added, as quoted by News.ro.

Hidroelectrica is preparing to build PV power plants on its own land

Hidroelectrica is also conducting tenders for the feasibility studies for PV parks which are planned on land owned by the company. It is developing floating PV plant projects on reservoirs at its hydropower plants.

Badea reiterated the company is interested in the installation of offshore wind farms. Hidroelectrica is awaiting the development of offshore legislation, he underlined.

The company is interested in the installation of offshore wind farms

Romania’s Energy Minister Virgil Popescu earlier said the government would finish the offshore wind law this year.

According to local media, Hidroelectrica recorded a EUR 340 million net profit in the year’s first half.

Of note, in May 2020, Hidroelectrica published a spending strategy through 2037 worth EUR 5.4 billion, including investments in offshore wind.