February 28, 2026
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Electrica and Liberty Galați to Jointly Develop Up to 500 MW of Solar and Storage

Electrica — in which the Romanian Government holds a 49.8% stake — has signed a memorandum of understanding with Liberty Galați to develop up to 500 MW of combined solar generation and energy storage on land owned by the currently inactive steel works. The agreement, disclosed in a stock-exchange filing, sets out an operating model intended to maximise self-consumption, strengthen supply reliability and optimise long-term costs, the company said.

The proposed structure seeks to capitalise on the strategic complementarities between the two firms: Electrica brings experience as an electricity supplier, distributor and renewable investor, while Liberty Galați contributes the site footprint and industrial scale. The memorandum follows Electrica’s recent emergency move to assume the plant’s electricity supply contract — a step taken two weeks earlier to prevent disconnection over unpaid bills.

Electrica noted that cutting power to a blast furnace would effectively shut the facility down permanently. The steel works is the country’s largest, but is currently inactive, insolvent and carrying substantial debt.

Next steps include feasibility studies for the sites, which are located on land beside the Danube in eastern Romania, near the border with Moldova and Ukraine. According to Electrica’s update, the two parties would develop solar and storage assets with combined capacity of up to 500 MW, with detailed terms to be defined after the feasibility work is completed.

Electrica’s chief executive, Alexandru-Aurelian Chiriță, said the partnership is intended to leverage both companies’ technological and financial capabilities as a catalyst for change in Romania’s energy sector. “Final partnership terms are to be defined following feasibility studies and will be implemented once all corporate approvals are secured,” he said, adding that the initiative aims to create “a model of excellence adapted to current sustainability requirements” and to set a new performance benchmark for the national energy industry.

Earlier, Liberty Galați — part of the Liberty Steel Group — outlined a EUR 1 billion plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. When Electrica announced it would take over the plant’s power contract, Chiriță emphasised the strategic importance of preserving the works: “Not now, when Europe is rearming. Not now, when the reconstruction of Ukraine will require millions of tons of steel from our border. Not now, when European steel production can be a real competitive advantage for the first time in decades.”

Electrica supplies electricity to about four million end customers across 18 counties in Northern Transylvania, Southern Transylvania and Northern Muntenia. The group recently reported record preliminary results: consolidated net profit jumped 159% in 2025 to RON 1.22 billion (EUR 239 million), while EBITDA rose to RON 2.38 billion — 64.5% higher than the previous year.

On the renewables and storage front, Electrica currently operates 46.5 MW within a 307.5 MW renewables portfolio. The company also plans 19 energy storage facilities totalling 1.17 GWh and three modular, interoperable data centres as part of its broader transition strategy.

January 7, 2026
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Electrica issues call for contractors for large PV parks in Romania

Romanian electricity supplier and distributor Electrica, in which the government holds almost 50%, published tenders via its subsidiaries for the second time for ready-to-build solar power projects. The peak capacities are 62.5 MW and 77.6 MW, and the second investment also involves battery storage. The company launched production in November at its Satu Mare 2 solar power plant, also known as Sunwind, of 27 MW.

Companies with the most advantageous offers from the technical and economic point of view will get the contracts for the construction of photovoltaic systems Satu Mare 3 and Bihor 1. Electrica, the investor, issued both calls a year ago, but canceled them in the meantime.

The Romanian Government owns 49.8% of the company, a power supplier and distributor, which also invests in renewables.

Electrica’s subsidiary New Trend Energy is responsible for the Satu Mare 3 project, of 62.5 MW in peak capacity. It is located in the commune of Doba in the Satu Mare county in the northwest. Inverters would enable the delivery of 57.9 MW to the grid.

The investment is estimated at RON 176.6 million (EUR 34.7 million) excluding value-added tax. Electrica expects to generate 70.2 MWh per annum. The deadline for applications is February 17.

BESS project is for 16.5 MWh in capacity and a 4 MW in operating power

Foton Power Energy, another subsidiary of Electrica, is seeking a contractor for a turnkey deal for Bihor 1. The PV plant would have 77.6 MW in peak capacity, and 77.4 MW in alternating current terms. It would consist of Trina’s bifacial solar panels of 595 W each.

The selected company will need to build a battery energy storage system as well, together with a transformer and fences, according to the document.

Both projects, with sites in northwestern Romania, have won subsidies from the Modernisation Fund

The BESS project is for 16.5 MWh in capacity and a 4 MW in operating power, earlier documents show. It would consist of eight Huawei units with a nominal size of 2.06 MWh each, the special purpose vehicle said. The project envisages the possibility of expansion of the battery storage facility to 75 MW and 150 MWh.

Total expected annual output amounts to 87.5 GWh. Foton Power Energy estimated the project at RON 220 million without VAT, which is EUR 43.2 million. Its site is in the communes of Cefa and Mădăraș in Bihor county, also in Romania’s northwest. Interested firms can submit bids by February 12.

Both Satu Mare 3 and Bihor 1 received state support via the European Union’s Modernisation Fund.

Electrica completed its third PV plant last month

In November, the company completed its Satu Mare 2 solar farm of 27 MW in peak capacity. The project firm is called Sunwind Energy. Electrica also operates PV plants Stănești and Vuturul with peak capacities at 7.5 MW and 12 MW, respectively.

The Crucea Est wind power project, worth eur 253 million, is for up to 138 MW and a BESS of 15 MW and 60 MWh.

In the report on the first nine months of 2025, Electrica wrote that it was developing four energy storage projects of 169.5 MWh altogether. In mid-October it initiated the procedures for 15 BESS facilities of 1 GWh in total.

Before that, in early September, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Romgaz on the development of 400 MW in solar and storage. Electrica would be the main partner and the other company would hold a minority interest.

The projects are financed from a green bond issuance, which was the largest in Romania.

Post Views:119
January 5, 2026
by in News

Electrica issues call for contractors for large PV parks in Romania

Romanian electricity supplier and distributor Electrica, in which the government holds almost 50%, published tenders via its subsidiaries for the second time for ready-to-build solar power projects. The peak capacities are 62.5 MW and 77.6 MW, and the second investment also involves battery storage. The company launched production in November at its Satu Mare 2 solar power plant, also known as Sunwind, of 27 MW.

Companies with the most advantageous offers from the technical and economic point of view will get the contracts for the construction of photovoltaic systems Satu Mare 3 and Bihor 1. Electrica, the investor, issued both calls a year ago, but canceled them in the meantime.

The Romanian Government owns 49.8% of the company, a power supplier and distributor, which also invests in renewables.

Electrica’s subsidiary New Trend Energy is responsible for the Satu Mare 3 project, of 62.5 MW in peak capacity. It is located in the commune of Doba in the Satu Mare county in the northwest. Inverters would enable the delivery of 57.9 MW to the grid.

The investment is estimated at RON 176.6 million (EUR 34.7 million) excluding value-added tax. Electrica expects to generate 70.2 MWh per annum. The deadline for applications is February 17.

BESS project is for 16.5 MWh in capacity and a 4 MW in operating power

Foton Power Energy, another subsidiary of Electrica, is seeking a contractor for a turnkey deal for Bihor 1. The PV plant would have 77.6 MW in peak capacity, and 77.4 MW in alternating current terms. It would consist of Trina’s bifacial solar panels of 595 W each.

The selected company will need to build a battery energy storage system as well, together with a transformer and fences, according to the document.

Both projects, with sites in northwestern Romania, have won subsidies from the Modernisation Fund

The BESS project is for 16.5 MWh in capacity and a 4 MW in operating power, earlier documents show. It would consist of eight Huawei units with a nominal size of 2.06 MWh each, the special purpose vehicle said. The project envisages the possibility of expansion of the battery storage facility to 75 MW and 150 MWh.

Total expected annual output amounts to 87.5 GWh. Foton Power Energy estimated the project at RON 220 million without VAT, which is EUR 43.2 million. Its site is in the communes of Cefa and Mădăraș in Bihor county, also in Romania’s northwest. Interested firms can submit bids by February 12.

Both Satu Mare 3 and Bihor 1 received state support via the European Union’s Modernisation Fund.

Electrica completed its third PV plant last month

In November, the company completed its Satu Mare 2 solar farm of 27 MW in peak capacity. The project firm is called Sunwind Energy. Electrica also operates PV plants Stănești and Vuturul with peak capacities at 7.5 MW and 12 MW, respectively.

The Crucea Est wind power project, worth eur 253 million, is for up to 138 MW and a BESS of 15 MW and 60 MWh.

In the report on the first nine months of 2025, Electrica wrote that it was developing four energy storage projects of 169.5 MWh altogether. In mid-October it initiated the procedures for 15 BESS facilities of 1 GWh in total.

Before that, in early September, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Romgaz on the development of 400 MW in solar and storage. Electrica would be the main partner and the other company would hold a minority interest.

The projects are financed from a green bond issuance, which was the largest in Romania.

Post Views:83
October 30, 2025
by in News

Romanian power distributor Electrica to build 15 battery systems totaling 1 GWh

Romanian power supplier and distributor Electrica has initiated a permitting procedure for the construction of 15 battery energy storage parks, with a combined capacity of about 1 GWh, aimed at providing flexibility to the national grid and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources.

The battery energy storage systems (BESS) would boost Electrica’s ability to respond dynamically to fluctuations in consumption and production within the national energy system. It should also enable the efficient integration of growing renewable capacities in Romania, significantly reducing price volatility and dependence on imports, according to a press release from Electrica.

Electrica’s new battery capacity is expected to reduce price volatility and dependence on energy imports

“Developing this 1 GWh storage infrastructure is a strategic pillar in Electrica’s transformation into a leader of the energy transition,” the company said, adding that the battery systems would be built on Electrica’s own land, leveraging assets from its existing portfolio.

“This project is not just about technology or capacity; it is about redefining how Romania manages energy security for the decades ahead,” said Alexandru Chirița, Electrica’s CEO. He also stated that the timeline for the project was “ambitious,” according to the press release.

The BESS capacities will be distributed across Romania

The project, part of Electrica’s 2030 strategy, will be developed in phases, with BESS installations distributed across Romania. The first phase is expected to bring a significant portion of the storage capacity online already in 2025, according to a report by PVknowhow.com.

Battery energy storage is on track to become another pillar of Romania’s energy transition, as investors increasingly develop BESS capacities combined with solar, hydropower, and wind, or as standalone energy storage facilities.

Romania is supporting BESS projects for renewables integration with subsidies provided from its national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP). In September last year, the Ministry of Energy awarded grants to 13 projects.

Post Views:68
July 16, 2025
by in News

Electrica sells green bonds for EUR 500 million amid record demand

Electricity supplier and distributor Electrica listed its first green bonds on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. It was the largest issuance of its kind among Romanian companies, excluding financials.

Electrica, in which the Romanian Government controls a stake of just under 50%, issued green bonds worth up to EUR 500 million. It is using the proceeds to finance and refinance its projects, mainly for green energy production and energy storage.

The senior unsecured green bonds, maturing in five years, are now listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Admission to trading on the Bucharest Stock Exchange is estimated to take place at the beginning of August, Electrica said.

The company’s core activities are electricity distribution and supply and energy services, but it is expanding into renewables and battery storage.

Pricing reaches 2.3 percentage points above benchmark rate

Credit appraisal agency Fitch has assigned the 4.375% senior unsecured green notes a BBB- rating. It is the lowest investment grade. The projects will have a limited connection to Electrica’s 100%-owned distribution and supply subsidiaries Distribuție Energie Electrică Romania (DEER) and Electrica Furnizare, the note adds.

Electrica targets 1 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030 alongside the deployment of 900 MWh of energy storage

The company’s inaugural debt securities were priced at a yield of 4.566%, according to a regulatory filing. It was 2.3 percentage points above the benchmark mid-interest rate swap. The demand from investors at the final price exceeded the supply by more than 11.5 times, marking a record oversubscription in bond issuances of Romanian companies, Electrica pointed out.

Moreover, it was the largest green bond issuance in Romania excluding financial institutions. Electrica targets 1 GW of installed capacity by 2030 alongside the deployment of 900 MWh of energy storage.

Electrica grows market capitalization by one fifth this year

Banca Comercială Română (member of Erste Group), BNP Paribas, Citi, ING, J.P. Morgan and Raiffeisen Bank International were the joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners in the transaction, while BT Capital Partners, IMI-Intesa Sanpaolo, Société Générale and UniCredit were joint bookrunners.

Electrica has EUR 1.06 billion in market capitalization. Its shares surged 21.1% since the end of last year.

Post Views:40