Romania considers launching new wind auctions

After completing the second round of wind and solar power auctions, Romania’s Ministry of Energy is considering launching new bidding for renewable energy projects, specifically onshore wind.

The Ministry of Energy has issued a call for expressions of interest for a third auction under the State Aid Scheme, in the form of contracts for difference (CfD), for electricity generation from onshore wind energy.

Given the results of the recently organized tendering for the award of CfDs, as well as the provisions of Government Decision 318/2024, the conditions stipulated in the State aid Scheme authorized by the European Commission Decision C (2024) 1596 final, the ministry is exploring the possibility of launching an additional tender, dedicated exclusively to onshore wind technology, according to the call.

All auction rules will be similar to those approved for the last CfD auction

The tender is to be completed by December 31, 2025, by which time the related contracts are to be signed, according to the update.

The ministry pointed out that all auction rules will be similar to those approved for the last CfD auction.

The expressions of interest should include projects that have recently reached or are about to reach a stage of maturity that would allow them to participate in the tender; projects that could not be submitted in the previous tender due to insufficient time to obtain corporate approvals, including to ensure the necessary sources of financing to cover the obligations regarding the participation/good execution guarantee.

Expressions of interest are to be submitted by August 29

The wind capacity to be auctioned will be determined following an analysis conducted by the ministry, based also on the expressions of interest received, provided that sufficient interest is expressed. Expressions of interest must be submitted by August 29.

Two weeks ago, the ministry and transmission system operator (TSO) Transelectrica conducted the country’s second wind and solar power auction for government support in the form of CfDs.

A total of 2 GW was available for wind, but the authorities selected only 1.26 GW under 23 qualified projects – those with bids below the ceiling of EUR 80 per MWh.