Romania calls agricultural, food firms to apply for solar, wind power grants

The Agency for Financing Rural Investments (AFIR) has EUR 150 million in grants for photovoltaic and wind power projects for self-consumption in Romania. The new call is for agricultural and food producers.

The Ministry of Energy of Romania is gradually disbursing EUR 14 billion in subsidies and grants for renewables. In cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, it is providing support for companies in the agricultural and food production sectors. Irrigation associations (categorized as OUAI/FOUAI) can apply as well.

The budget for the new call for solar and wind power plants is EUR 150 million. The aid comes via the European Union’s Modernisation Fund and the Agency for Financing Rural Investments (AFIR), operating within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Firms in Romania can apply until February 28 within the second call for photovoltaics and wind power plants for self-consumption. The grants are for facilities planned both with and without storage.

The support measure covers up to 100% of eligible costs. Developers of wind power projects get EUR 700,000 per MW of envisaged capacity. The sum for investments in solar power is EUR 650,000 per MW for future facilities of 1 MW at most. Companies will get EUR 550,000 per MW for more, according to AFIR.

There is EUR 2 million available for small wind power systems and EUR 18 million for the segment above 1 MW. The agency said it has EUR 90 million in total for PV systems of up to 1 MW each. Larger solar power projects are competing for an overall EUR 40 million.

Potential beneficiaries are allowed to submit more than one project. No company can receive no more than EUR 20 million, according to the rules.