Construction of Ingka Investments 300 MW solar park in Romania well underway

Ingka Investments, the investment division of the Sweden-based Ingka Holding, the largest IKEA franchisee company, said the construction of its first solar power plant in Romania is well underway. The Butimanu project is for 300 MW in peak capacity, which would make it the largest in the country.

The biggest IKEA stores operator is proceeding with a major renewable energy investment plan. Following last year’s regulatory approval in Romania, it is building one of Europe’s largest solar power plants.

The construction of a system of 300 MW in peak capacity is “well underway,” according to Ingka Investments. It is part of Ingka Holding, based in the Netherlands. The site is in Butimanu in Romania’s Dâmbovița county.

Ingka Investments bought the project in 2023. At the time, it said it was ready for construction, in two phases, and valued it at more than EUR 200 million. The Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) issued the permit for 247 MW in peak capacity and a 223 MW grid connection.

The company developed its first solar power project, set to become the biggest in Romania, through its special purpose vehicle Butimanu Energy. The facility just north of Bucharest, in the Muntenia region, would generate electricity equivalent to the needs of almost 170,000 households in the country, Ingka Investments said.

It complements Ingka’s nine wind farms in Romania. They consist of 64 turbines, totaling 171 MW.

Of note, IKEA supplies electricity to end consumers, including in Romania. Ingka Group has 594 wind turbines in 29 solar parks in 19 countries. Including PV plants, it generates 5 TWh per year.