July 31, 2025
by in News

Production starts at new 38.4 MW wind farm northeast of Bucharest

Eximprod, which installed the first wind turbine in Romania more than two decades ago, delivered the first megawatt-hours to the grid from its new wind farm in the country’s east. In addition, it is about to receive a commercial operating license for a 49.5 MW solar park in Prahova county.

Several other wind parks are also under construction amid a revival in investments in Romania. Rezolv recently secured financing for phase 2 of its Vifor wind power plant, set to become one of the largest in Europe.

Romania has been enjoying a solar power boom for the past three years, and the pace of the construction of battery energy storage facilities (BESS) is accelerating. On the wind energy front, the country’s capacity has barely held above 3 GW for a long time after the 3.24 GW peak in 2014, due to the failure of an incentives mechanism. But the investment momentum is strengthening – notably, Eximprod said it launched the operation of its 38.4 MW wind power plant in the Galați area.

The company actually installed the first wind turbine in Romania. In 2003, it put online the Vestas V 47 machine of 660 kW in Topolog in Tulcea County in the country’s east.

Eximprod Group (EPG) also provides equipment and services in the energy sector. The company’s contractor Lemacons poured concrete less than half a year ago for the foundation of the first wind turbine in the new Cudalbi 2 facility. It is located in Galați county in eastern Romania, in the Western Moldavia region.

Eximprod received support through National Recovery and Resilience Plan

Cudalbi 2 is the first wind park in the country with Enercon turbines in 12 years. The model is E-160 EP5 E2, of 5.5 MW. Eximprod has won state support for the project northeast of Bucharest via the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP or, in Romanian, PNRR). The funds are approved under the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

The company has also built the nearby Cudalbi 1 wind farm of 54 MW, consisting of nine turbines.

In addition, Eximprod is about to receive the commercial operating license from National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) for its Solar System Project photovoltaic plant. It completed the facility with 49.5 MW in connection capacity in April. According to its documentation, the facility has 65 MW in peak capacity. It consists of five units with grid connections of 9.9 MW each.

The solar park is in Ciorani, Prahova county, north of the capital city. The endeavor was reportedly worth EUR 56.2 million including a grant of EUR 13.4 million from the NRRP. The company plans to add a BESS unit of 21 MW in operating power. The said final permit will allow the project firm to sell electricity.

Lenders indicate confidence in Romania’s wind power market with financing package for Vifor

In other recent news, Rezolv secured a EUR 331 million financing package for the 269 MW second phase of its Vifor wind farm in Buzău county. It includes EUR 44 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Erste Group, UniCredit Group, International Finance Corp. (IFC), Intesa Sanpaolo Group, OTP Bank and Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederösterreich-Wien all participate in the arrangement.

The Vifor wind park would consist of 72 turbines of 6.4 MW each

The first part of Vifor is under construction and scheduled for commissioning in the spring. Rezolv plans to complete phase two in late 2027.  The wind park would be one of the biggest in Europe, at 461 MW. The company is installing 72 Vestas V162 turbines of 6.4 MW.

Rezolv won a contract-for-difference (CfD) at the country’s first renewable energy auctions for phase 2, for 240 MW. The government approved 1.1 GW for wind power. The qualifications phase is ongoing for the second round of auctions, for 2 GW for wind park projects and 1.47 GW for photovoltaics.

Several wind farms under construction

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Romania had just under 3.1 GW in wind power capacity in operation at the end of 2024.

Eurowind Energy built the turbines earlier this year at its Pecineaga wind park. Greece-based Public Power Corp. (PPC) is supposed to connect its Deleni facility to the grid before the end of the year.

OX2 is building the Green Breeze wind farm as the turnkey contractor for the investor, Nala Renewables.

Post Views:46
June 4, 2025
by in News

Montenegro preparing first renewable energy auction to accelerate green transition

A model for Montenegro’s first auction for market premiums for solar power was outlined at an event in the capital Podgorica. The new legal framework for the green energy transition includes guarantees of origin, citizen energy communities and streamlined permitting. Stakeholders will be able to participate with their comments and suggestions in the renewables auction design.

The Ministry of Energy and Mining of Montenegro organized a conference today to present the key design elements of the first market premium auction for renewables. The competitive bidding process for wind and solar power is part of the reform agenda within the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

The country’s new legal framework includes guarantees of origin, citizen energy communities and simplified permitting aimed at facilitating investment. They were defined with the new laws on energy and renewables.

The ministry said the first auction would be for photovoltaics. Solar power is the segment with the greatest potential and the lowest share in domestic electricity production, it explained.

EBRD’s Zakaria: First auction should match market needs

The Head of Montenegro in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Remon Zakaria urged stakeholders to send their comments and suggestions. The design of the first auction should match the needs of the market as much as possible, he argued.

EBRD participated in drafting the model. The ministry also thanked the Ministry of Finance of Austria, Central European Initiative (CEI) and other partners for their assistance.

At the event in Podgorica, a team of experts presented the technical matters concerning the upcoming auction.

Montenegro to boost renewables’ share in electricity output to 70% by 2030

This is not just the beginning of a technical process – it is a strategic leap, according to Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović. He pointed out that Montenegro is transitioning from state incentives to a market-based support model, saying it aligns with the best European practices.

“We know our ambitions and goals for 2030 – a 50% share of renewable energy sources in final consumption and 70% of electricity to be produced from renewable sources. They are indeed demanding targets, but reachable – especially with support from international partners and the private sector,” Šahmanović added.

Montenegro has demanding, but achievable green energy targets, Minister Admir Šahmanović said

Montenegro doesn’t see itself isolated in its energy future but as an integral part of the European market, the minister asserted. With the forthcoming auction, the country is sending a clear message that it is ready for the next steps in the green transition, in his view.

The government is committed to decarbonization, digitalization and preparations for the European Union’s instruments like the emissions trading system (ETS) and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Šahmanović underscored.

“We don’t see this process as a political goal – but as an economic opportunity and social imperative,” the minister said.

Post Views:47
May 17, 2025
by in News

Works beginning on North Macedonian side of gas interconnector with Greece

The North Macedonian section of the gas interconnector with Greece is expected to be completed by early 2027. The construction contract was signed by the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, domestic contractor Rapid Build and the country’s gas transmission system operator Nomagas.

The construction of the gas pipeline connecting North Macedonia with Greece is set to begin in a month, according to officials. Land expropriation is 90% complete. The initial capacity of the interconnector would be 1.5 billion cubic meters per year, with a potential to double it. The works are expected to be completed within 22 months.

„With the signing of the contract for the construction of the Macedonian section of the gas interconnector with Greece, we are marking the beginning of the largest energy investment in North Macedonia in the last ten years. The interconnector is proof that when there is political will, regional trust, and professional dedication – the results are real and tangible,” said Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources Sanja Božinovska.

The contract was signed by the ministry, contractor Rapid bild, based in Kumanovo in North Macedonia, and the country’s gas transmission system operator Nomagas. The future pipeline would be able to carry both natural gas and hydrogen.

Repeated tender slashes price by EUR 12 million

The winning bid was EUR 59.9 million or EUR 12 million less than in the initial tender, which was annulled.

The project is worth over MKD 5.1 billion (EUR 82.9 million). It is financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). It includes grants of EUR 2.5 million for technical assistance and another EUR 9.9 million via the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

The project is financed by the EIB and EBRD

„This contract ensures diversification and access to a greater number of natural gas sources, enables economic development, progress and environmental protection, and contributes to the security of energy supply,” said Executive Director of Nomagas Muhamet Elmazi.

Gasification would significantly improve air quality, especially in areas where wood and fuel oil are currently used for heating.

Greek section of interconnector under construction since February

On the North Macedonian side, the interconnector route is 68 kilometers long, out of a total of 123 kilometers. It will run from Nea Mesimvria in Greece through Evzoni (Mačukovo) and Gevgelija at the border, to Negotino. The next phase involves building gas links from Gostivar to Kičevo (34 kilometers) and from Sveti Nikole to Veles (28 kilometers).

Greek company Terna began constructing its country’s section of the pipeline in February.

Nomagas and Greece’s National Natural Gas System Operator (DESFA) made their final investment decision a year and a half ago.

The companies leaned the investment on the project for the Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal. The liquefied natural gas facility in northeastern Greece was opened on October 1. However, due to a malfunction, it has been out of operation for more than three months. According to the latest update, gradual reactivation is expected to begin by the end of May.

Post Views:87
May 16, 2025
by in News

Investors seek to install 5.5 GW of renewables in Montenegro – minister

Montenegro has received applications for building solar power plants and wind farms with a total capacity of 5.5 GW, Admir Šahmanović, the Minister of Energy and Mining, said at Belgrade Energy Forum 2025.

Montenegrin Minister of Energy and Mining Admir Šahmanović said the country has made significant progress in shaping its regulatory framework.

Montenegro has passed new laws on energy and renewable energy sources, while a draft law on the exchange of electricity and natural gas has been prepared.

“We are currently drafting a national energy and climate plan, which will be finalized by the end of next month,” Šahmanović stressed.

Montenegro currently has about 1,000 MW of renewable energy capacity

He also recalled that the government is preparing renewable energy auctions in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The minister expects these auctions will significantly boost investments in renewables.

According to Šahmanović, the country has made considerable efforts to improve the investment climate.

“As a result, we have received 45 applications for the construction of renewable power plants with a combined capacity of 5.5 GW. For comparison, the country’s current capacity is slightly over 1 GW, which demonstrates our success,” he explained.

A memorandum on market coupling with Italy would be signed very soon

He said that a memorandum on market coupling with Italy would be signed next month. “We will also discuss the installation of another subsea cable for electricity transmission between Montenegro and Italy,” Šahmanović noted.

Montenegro plans to couple its day-ahead electricity market with Italy, linking it to the single European market. It previously considered two options for its first market coupling: with Serbia and with Albania, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, and Greece.

The third Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 (BEF 2025), started today welcoming four hundred participants from more than 30 countries from the region, Europe and beyond. The two-day conference is organized by Balkan Green Energy News.

Post Views:53
May 13, 2025
by in News

Second HVDC link from mainland Greece to Crete coming online

Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) is completing the last elements of the Ariadne Interconnection project, one of the deepest subsea links in the world. The company plans to switch on the double high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable between Attica and Crete by the end of the month. In addition, IPTO and its Italian counterpart Terna are developing a project for a second interconnector between them.

Final tests and equipment checks are being completed at the Damasta Converter Station in Heraklion ahead of the start of the trial operation of the Crete-Attica electricity link. The management of IPTO, also known by its Greek acronym Admie, and the HDVC Ariadne Interconnection project firm inspected the site.

The transmission system operator said it plans to energize it this week by injecting reactive power into the electricity system in the country’s biggest island.

The transmission of active power from Attica to Crete is set to begin in late May, the update adds. Ariadne consists of two 500 kV cables of  500 MW each. One end is in Pachi in the city of Megara, between Athens and Corinth, and the other one in Korakia in Crete. The submarine and underground cables were tested earlier.

Line on mainland is under trial electrification

At the same time, on the Attica side, a trial electrification of a 400 kV cable system is taking place between the Koumoundouros Converter Station and the adjacent Extra High Voltage Center. Ariadne Interconnection is the largest and most complex electricity transmission project in Greece so far, IPTO underscored.

Furthermore, a 150 kV transmission line between Chania and Damasta recently received the decision on the approval of environmental conditions (AEPO), the company added. It is considered necessary for an optimal combined use of Crete’s two interconnections with the mainland, the announcement reads. The first one, from Peloponnese, was established in 2021.

Ariadne, worth more than EUR 1.1 billion, is one of the three deepest interconnections in the world. The HVDC line’s capacity matches the interconnector to Sardinia, the strongest power link so far with an island.

The project is co-financed through the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF 2014-2020 and NSRF 2021-2027), via the European Union, with up to EUR 535.5 million. The idea for the endeavor dates back to the 1990s.

The contractors are Nexans and Prysmian. Each was responsible for one of the two cables while the latter also laid two submarine telecommunication lines.

Erdoğan again taunts Great Sea Interconnector by promising alternative cable

Ariadne is part of a proposed corridor with the Great Sea Interconnector project, formerly EuroAsia Interconnector, envisaged going to Cyprus and Israel. The Crete-Cyprus investment has been suffering heavy delays amid financing issues, ownership disputes and Turkey’s threats.

In early May, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited the Cypriot Turkish breakaway republic, recognized only by Turkey, and promised an interconnection with his country. He compared it to an existing water pipeline.

“Did we bring water from under the sea to Northern Cyprus from Turkey? Now we are in the second stage. God willing, we will bring electricity and with that we will cover the needs of Northern Cyprus in water and electricity,” Erdoğan stated.

Notably, IPTO denied yesterday a press report that it is considering the possibility, together with Nexans, the contractor, to alter the route and connect Crete with the Dodecanese Islands instead of with Cyprus. The archipelago includes Rhodes, Astypalaia (Astypalea), Kos and Tilos.

EBRD is providing a grant for the first studies for an interconnection between Greece and Egypt

In other news, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Elica Interconnector, a member of the Copelouzos Group, signed a grant agreement for the first studies for the planned Egypt-Greece (GREGY) electricity interconnection.

IPTO and its Italian counterpart Terna signed today a memorandum of understanding to install a second undersea HDVC power line. The GR.ITA 2 project is for a double cable, two times 500 MW, scheduled for completion in 2031. The two sides earmarked a total of EUR 1.9 billion.

The existing 500 MW interconnector, in operation since 2002, is temporarily down due to a malfunction.

Post Views:40
April 16, 2025
by in News

Elektroprivreda BiH seeks contractor for three solar power projects

Power utility Elektroprivreda BiH (EPBiH) called on companies to apply for designing and building three solar power plants. Two sites are on depleted coal land and the third one could become a hybrid power plant with existing wind farm Podveležje.

Within a project called EPBiH Solar Transition Programme, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s state-owned company Elektroprivreda BiH launched a tender for three photovoltaic facilities of 28 MW in total. The public call is on the EBRD Client e-Procurement Portal (ECEPP) of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The lender pointed out it is the first phase of the first tranche.

EBRD is considering financing the investment valued at EUR 80.8 million with a EUR 36.5 million loan. EPBiH would provide EUR 7.7 million and secure the rest from other sources.

The tender consists of two stages while applications are received until May 26. The company selected for the first phase would be tasked with designing and building solar power plants Gornja Breza (15 MW), Višća (8 MW) and Podveležje 3 – with 5 MW in capacity.

EPBiH has 30-year concession for its PV project Podveležje 3

Phase 2 of the second tranche, for 56 MW, would comprise the proposed facilities Potočari 1, of 16 MW, Bedrock 1-3 (two times 8 MW plus 16 MW) and Banovići Selo, of 8 MW. Combined with the second tranche, the plan envisages 13 solar power plants of 195 MW overall.

Gornja Breza is on a former dump of the Breza coal mining complex north of the capital Sarajevo. Višća is at a depleted open cast coal mine on the territory of the city of Živinice near Tuzla.

The Podveležje 3 solar power project is colocated with the Podveležje wind power plant, owned by Elektroprivreda BiH. If the two systems are connected to the same infrastructure and digitally integrated, together they will become a hybrid power plant. The company won a concession last year for 30 years for 4.8 MW in the photovoltaic segment.

Abandoned coal land to host PV plants of Elektroprivreda BiH

EPBiH intends to build its other PV units in the first tranche also at abandoned parts of its mining complexes.

EBRD and UniCredit are financing the Gračanica 1 and 2 projects, located at a former tailings dump of the Gračanica mine. They are for 25 MW each and the connection capacity of the solar park would be 45 MW.

Notably, the company has been reporting losses quarter after quarter. It concluded last year with EUR 29.4 million in the red, compared to EUR 170 million in 2023. However, the company said in December that Chinese contractors have returned the advance payment of EUR 127 million that it payed them for the failed Tuzla 7 coal-fired power plant project.

Elektroprivreda BiH is planning another two wind farms: Vlašić and Bitovnja.

Post Views:24