Surge in Solar Power Production
Romania’s solar power output has experienced a remarkable increase, rising by 63% year-over-year to 1.67 terawatt-hours (TWh), which now accounts for 6.1% of the country’s total electricity output in the first half of 2024. This growth marks a significant rise from the 3.4% share during the same period in 2023, according to the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Expansion of Photovoltaic Capacities
The Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association (RPIA) reports that the nation currently boasts over 3.2 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity in photovoltaic parks, split almost evenly between industrial parks and prosumer installations. Future development plans are ambitious, with more than 8.5 GW of additional capacity expected from upcoming solar parks and prosumer installations. This expansion is supported by new financial mechanisms such as contracts for difference and incentives from the Resilience Facility and the Modernization Fund.
National Targets and Challenges
Romania has set a target to reach 11.1 GW of photovoltaic capacities by 2030, aiming to substantially increase the share of rooftop installations alongside larger park developments. However, the country faced a significant drop in the overall contribution of green energy (including hydro, wind, and solar) to 50.3% of total output in H1 2024, down from 54.4% in the corresponding period of 2023. This decline was largely due to a 24.1% decrease in hydroelectric power production, influenced by reduced water levels in the Danube.
Energy Consumption and Export
Amidst these developments, Romania’s total electricity production has closely matched its consumption. The slight 0.8% year-over-year increase in total energy consumption reflects stable demand across both residential and non-residential sectors. The country has significantly reduced its electricity exports, from 9.4% of production last year to a balanced domestic supply this year.
Source: romania-insider.com
