Shanghai Electric becomes contractor for Romania’s largest solar park with batteries

Israeli company Econergy, owner of the largest photovoltaic park in Romania, has selected Shanghai Electric as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for a facility with a two times higher capacity and a 150 MW battery energy storage system.

After building the solar park in Romania’s Brașov county for Econergy, Shanghai Electric also won the contract for Părău 2. “Building on our successfully completed projects in Romania, we aim to further strengthen our presence across Central and Eastern Europe and deliver tailored solutions that accelerate Romania’s energy transformation,” Chairman of Shanghai Electric Group Wu Lei said.

The company’s photovoltaics portfolio in the country has reached 550 MW, according to the update. The investor behind Părău and Părău 2 is Israel-based Econergy. The first part, of 91.4 MW in peak capacity, was commissioned a year ago.

Econergy operates Romania’s largest solar park, Rătești. It has 155 MW in peak capacity. Părău 2 is for 342 MW, together with a 150 MW battery energy storage system (BESS).

Shanghai Electric is the EPC contractor for Econergy’s four PV parks, of which two are already operational

The investment is valued at EUR 275 million altogether. Părău 2, on 337 hectares in central Romania, has won a 15-year contract for difference (CfD) in December at the country’s first round of renewable energy auctions.

Econergy bid EUR 49.4 per MWh for 125 MW in connection terms or 150 MW in peak capacity. It was the biggest project on the list. The developer expects to put it into operation in 2027.

The solar park will supply both residential and commercial users, according to Shanghai Electric. Its Romanian portfolio includes Econergy’s Scurtu Mare 56 MW photovoltaic plant, which was provisionally cleared for the start of operations in June. Another one is the Ovidiu project for the same client, with 60 MW in peak capacity under construction.

Econergy has hinted that it could invite a partner for Părău 2. The Israeli company noted that it normally holds a 49% or 50% stake in Romania. It revealed that it could pick a previous partner such as Phoenix, headquartered in Israel, or RGreen Invest, a French investment fund.