Investments in green energy

The Ministry of Energy continued in April to finance projects related to the creation of new production capacities from renewable sources and energy efficiency for public and private buildings. In the first days of the month, Sebastian Burduja, Minister of Energy, signed 114 financing contracts for investments in renewable electricity production capacities for self-consumption. These, totaling over 233 million lei, of which over 200 million lei come from the Modernization Fund, will allow the installation of 32.66 Megawatts in communities across the country. The beneficiaries are public entities - from schools to hospitals - that will become active actors in the energy transition, considerably reducing energy costs and increasing local energy autonomy.

On April 14, the Ministry of Energy launched another major program, this time addressed to industry. This is a call for projects for the energy efficiency of industrial installations, with a budget of 150 million euros. The support targets highly polluting sectors, such as steel, cement, energy or the oil and gas industry, encouraging investments in advanced carbon capture, storage and utilisation (CCS/CCU) technologies. By applying the best available technologies (BAT), these initiatives will substantially contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the energy performance of industrial processes.

Also on the same day, the Ministry announced the launch of the public consultation for a new call dedicated to the private sector - the second call for projects for the production of electricity from renewable sources for self-consumption. With a robust budget of 300 million euros, the call is intended to support companies, including those from agriculture and the food industry, to produce their own clean energy, under more flexible eligibility conditions. This program not only expands access to financing, but also creates a functional framework for energy independence, competitiveness and sustainability in the Romanian business environment.

The end of April brought a new wave of significant investments: another 60 contracts were signed with local public authorities, bringing the total to 831 projects supported by the Modernization Fund. Their cumulative value exceeded 2.1 billion lei, of which over 1.8 billion lei are non-reimbursable funds. In total, the installed capacity at national level will reach 296.76 Megawatts. These investments are not just numbers - they translate into reality through functional photovoltaic parks that supply schools, hospitals and public institutions, providing clean energy, energy security and lower bills. Minister Sebastian Burduja has repeatedly emphasized the essence of these actions: "The energy transition is not a luxury, but a necessity. Romania not only attracts free European funds, but also uses them effectively to radically transform the national energy landscape." With almost 300 Megawatts installed and a record amount invested in just a few months, Romania is emerging more and more clearly as a regional model of efficiency and speed in absorbing European funds for green energy.

Also in April, the Government approved for Hidroelectrica the definitive removal from the forest fund of a 37.5-hectare land necessary for the construction of the Răstoliţa hydropower development, an important objective for the future of the national energy system.