Romania subsidizes municipal authorities with 86% for solar power investments

The Ministry of Energy provided EUR 28.8 million for 105 photovoltaic projects of 23.1 MW in total in almost all counties of Romania. The vast majority of the grants for solar power systems are for communes, the lowest-level municipal authorities.

Prosumers have proven to be the main pillar of Romania’s energy transition and, within the segment, local and regional administrations are gradually strengthening their share. With strong subsidies available and the affordability of solar power systems, municipal authorities and local institutions can eliminate electricity costs in some segments. Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja signed another batch of contracts, approving the payment of EUR 28.8 million.

The 105 projects in the group are worth EUR 33.7 million altogether, which means the grants,  from the European Union’s Modernisation Fund, cover 86%. Among the beneficiaries, 91 are communes, the lowest-level municipal authorities in Romania.

Grants for solar power systems disbursed to municipal entities in almost all Romanian counties

Others on the list are towns and municipalities, religious buildings, local institutions and the Babeș-Bolyai University (BBU) in Cluj-Napoca. Of the country’s 41 counties, new contracts covered 34: Alba, Argeș, Bacău, Bihor, Bistrita-Năsăud, Botoșani, Brașov, Buzău, Caraș-Severin, Călărași, Cluj, Constanța, Covasna, Dâmbovița, Dolj, Galați, Gorj, Hunedoara, Ialomița, Maramureș, Mehedinți, Mureș, Neamț, Olt, Prahova, Sălaj, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timiș, Tulcea, Vâlcea, Vaslui and Vrancea.

The projects envisage installing an overall 23 MW, which is 219 kW apiece on average. The municipal authorities and other selected beneficiaries submitted their solar power investment proposals under a call for renewable energy sources and energy storage for self-consumption.

Burduja: Citizens to directly feel positive effects

The ministry said it is committed to a sustainable energy future, based on clean and efficient technologies for the benefit of all communities in Romania, with clean energy at fair prices.

“These projects, which will bring photovoltaic parks for communities throughout the country, bring us closer to our goal of transforming the national energy system, emphasizing sustainability and innovation. The most important beneficiaries are still the citizens, who will directly feel the positive effects of these projects: lower bills, a cleaner environment and an improved quality of life. At the same time, the investments signed today create jobs and bring long-term prosperity to local communities,” Burduja stated.

The Ministry of Energy has signed 633 contracts from the call. They are worth a combined EUR 339 million, of which EUR 294 million is from the Modernisation Fund.

Total capacity will be 237.4 MW, according to the announcement.