Romania has published a map and rules for concessions for the country’s first offshore wind power plants. The first three zones on the Black Sea amount to 3.1 GW combined, out of 11.5 GW in total. Concessions would be auctioned, while a potential government support scheme would be defined separately.
After several years in the making, the public debate is wrapping up for draft legislation covering offshore wind power areas in the Romanian part of the Black Sea and procedure for development. The Ministry of Energy is receiving comments and suggestions on the zones and concession rules until August 27.
The plan consists of three phases. For the first round, there are three lots: one of 1.9 GW and two of 600 MW each. The combined goal of 3.1 GW compares to 3 GW from the Energy Strategy of Romania 2025-2035.
Phase 2 would have two zones, of 800 MW and 1.6 GW. The third is 6 GW in one piece, taking the total to 11.5 GW. The six chunks in total span some 4,000 square kilometers.
Auction win doesn’t imply high-voltage grid link
According to the proposed terms, participants in auctions for concession agreements won’t win points only with their bids. Their implementation potential would be evaluated, alongside financial sustainability and siting efficiency. Economic, industrial and manufacturing benefits are among the factors as well.
The rules allow contracts for difference, but the matter is separate from the tenders
The forthcoming tenders don’t carry the grid connection for the winners. In addition, a potential government support mechanism in the form of contracts for difference (CfDs) would be implemented separately.
Concessionaire can oversize its offshore wind power plant
Investors can opt to oversize their offshore wind power plant relative to the capacity of the connection to the transmission grid. The 30-year contract can be extended by one decade at most.
The World Bank’s Offshore Wind Roadmap for Romania showed average wind speeds of 7.5 to eight meters per second. The technical potential amounts to 76 GW, of which 22 GW can be turbines on fixed foundations, and the rest on floaters.
As for the rest of the region that Balkan Green Energy News covers, Turkey and Greece are also preparing for their first offshore wind power auctions.
In 2024, Romania, Greece and Bulgaria set up a cooperation framework for the development of such projects.
