December 27, 2025
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OMV Petrom, CE Oltenia building solar parks of 550 MW in total

Coal land of Romanian state-owned CE Oltenia is undergoing transformation with the beginning of construction of four photovoltaic plants. The projects, which the company is conducting with OMV Petrom, are for 550 MW in combined capacity. In a separate partnership, with Tinmar Energy, 280 MW more is in development.

Almost four years after the European Union approved the grants from the Modernisation Fund and the start of negotiations between Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CE Oltenia) and OMV Petrom about a partnership, their four solar power projects of 550 MW in total peak capacity reached the construction phase. They would cover the equivalent of an estimated 410,000 Romanian households’ annual consumption, the update adds.

The largest integrated energy company in Southeastern Europe and Romania’s main coal power producer are building the photovoltaic systems in Ișalnița, Tismana, and Rovinari in the coal region in the counties of Dolj and Gorj. CE Oltenia and OMV Petrom expect the facilities to become operational next year.

OMV Petrom, CE Oltenia partnership receives first tranche of EU funding

Total investment is over EUR 400 million, with 70% financed through the Modernisation Fund. There are four joint ventures, in which the partners hold 50% each. Just this month, they received the first EUR 16 million, the announcement reveals.

The locations are on CE Oltenia’s coal land. They are aimed at partly substituting the power plants there, as Romania is heading for a coal exit by 2032.

“Through these projects, OMV Petrom reaffirms its commitment to a low-carbon energy future, contributing to Romania’s and the EU’s climate objectives. We are transforming a region with a long-standing tradition in coal-based energy into a renewable energy hub,” said Franck Neel, member of OMV Petrom’s Executive Board responsible for Gas and Power.

Ameresco and Sunel won three contracts together, and Turkey-based Girişim is in charge of the fourth one

Following tenders, contractors for the design and execution were picked in April. The consortium of United States–based Ameresco and Sunel is tasked with the projects Rovinari Est, Tismana 1, and Tismana 2. The latter company is registered in the United Kingdom, but its operational headquarters are in Athens, Greece. The capacity amounts to 460 MW.

Turkish company Girişim Elektrik is in charge of the fourth endeavor. The site is a slag deposit at the CE Ișalnița coal-fired power plant. Per earlier documentation, the contractors will operate the solar power systems for three years and transfer them to the owners.

Coal miners becoming PV installers

OMV Petrom said it is supporting the RenewAcad program in the nearby city of Târgu Jiu, where CE Oltenia is seated.

In the past two years, over 200 mining technicians have been retrained as photovoltaic system installers. The initiative is part of a broader effort. It involved training over 10,000 professionals for Romania’s energy transition, the company added.

Another 280 MW of solar power is in pipeline

CE Oltenia, also known as CEO, runs another four PV projects totaling 280 MW in planned peak capacity with its partner Tinmar Energy. They received 13 bids and the procedure is ongoing.

The partnership model is the same, and so is the share of investment that the Modernisation Fund covers. The locations are slag and ash deposits at coal plants Rovinari and Turceni, and external dumps Pinoasa and Bohorelu.

The fifth partnership between CE Oltenia and Tinmar is for a CCGT (combined-cycle gas turbine) power plant of 475 MW in Turceni. It is suffering heavy delays. The Modernisation Fund has approved a grant for 50% of the investment.

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November 10, 2025
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OMV, Masdar to build 140 MW green hydrogen plant in Austria

OMV and Masdar are setting up a joint venture for the development and operation of the fifth-largest electrolyzer plant in Europe. The facility is already under construction in Austria. The UAE-based company would be a minority shareholder, with 49%.

Austrian integrated energy, fuels and chemicals company OMV and Masdar – Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. signed a binding agreement to establish a joint venture for the financing, construction and operation of the 140 MW green hydrogen electrolyzer plant in Bruck an der Leitha, Austria.

It would be one of Europe’s largest green hydrogen production facilities, marking a major step in OMV’s commitment to decarbonizing its Schwechat refinery, the update adds. Construction of the facility began in September. The companies expect it to become operational in 2027.

OMV to procure electricity, own green hydrogen produced in Bruck an der Leitha

The JV will be majority-owned by OMV, with the clean energy giant from the United Arab Emirates holding 49%. The partnership combines the Austrian company’s integrated fuels and chemicals business and Masdar’s commercial, financial and technical expertise.

The two companies said they would explore opportunities for green hydrogen, e-SAF and synthetic chemicals

OMV, which is already running a 10 MW electrolyzer plant for green hydrogen in Schwechat, will procure the renewable electricity for production and own the green hydrogen produced in the new facility, the announcement reads. Bruck an der Leitha is near the borders with Hungary and Slovakia.

The partnership lays the foundation for strategic collaboration to explore green hydrogen, synthetic sustainable aviation fuels (e-SAF) and synthetic chemicals production in both the UAE and Central and Northern Europe, following the signing of a letter of intent in April. The joint venture would be set up early 2026, conditional on completion of final documentation, shareholders’ approvals and regulatory approvals.

Photo: OMV, Masdar

Hattmannsdorfer: Austria aims to become Europe’s leading hydrogen hub

The binding agreement was signed at the ADIPEC conference and exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The ceremony was held in the presence of UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Austria’s Federal Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer of OMV Alfred Stern and CEO of Masdar Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi.

“We can only secure jobs and prosperity in Austria if we stand firmly for open trade and build successful international partnerships. Together with strategic partnership between OMV and Masdar, we have brought one of the largest direct investments of recent years to Austria. OMV and Masdar are jointly constructing the fifth-largest hydrogen plant in Europe – right here in Austria. This project further strengthens Austria’s leading role in a key technology of the future. Our goal is clear: Austria aims to become Europe’s leading hydrogen hub,” Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer stated.

By combining Masdar’s global expertise in developing and scaling clean energy projects with OMV’s industrial and technological capabilities, the joint venture will accelerate the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries, according to Masdar’s CEO Al Ramahi.

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August 15, 2025
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Romania completes second round of renewable energy auctions – third of wind quota unallocated

Companies that participated in the second round of auctions in Romania for contracts for difference (CfDs) for wind and solar power projects received the ranking list. The target quota for photovoltaics was slightly surpassed, with 1.49 GW approved. Conversely, only 1.26 GW was allocated in the wind project segment, against the available 2 GW. Average winning prices were EUR 40.35 per MWh and EUR 73.89 per MWh, respectively.

Winners include Rezolv Energy’s Dama Solar, which at 1.04 GW in total would currently be by far the largest PV system in Europe, excluding Turkey.

Romania’s Ministry of Energy and transmission system operator Transelectrica have conducted the country’s second wind and solar power auctions for government support in the form of CfDs. They imply fixed prices for beneficiaries for 15 years. If the producer sells its electricity in the market at a higher price, the government receives the difference. It works the other way around as well. The average winning price for wind power was EUR 73.89 per MWh, compared to EUR 40.35 per MWh for photovoltaics.

There was 2 GW available for wind power projects, but the authorities selected only 1.26 GW, within 23 qualified projects. It means their bids were lower than the ceiling of EUR 80 per MWh. Romanian media learned most of the details, while the official report is yet to be issued.

Rezolv, OX2, OMV Petrom, among winners in wind power segment

In the wind power auction, the participants secured less than two thirds of the quota. There are 23 projects of 21 companies on the list, with 1.26 GW accepted overall of the available 2 GW.

Midmar Callatis passed with the lowest bid, EUR 65.17 per MWh, for the Dunărea East project in Constanța county. The entity, controlled by Rezolv Energy, is eligible for a CfD for 211.2 MW. It is the largest proposed capacity that participated in the auction. The Dunărea East and West project is for 600 MW altogether.

The firm signed the grid connection contract last year. It expects to complete the wind park in 2030, to meet the deadline, like almost all other auction winners in both segments.

OX2 has split its project and won three contracts

The second winner by size is the Cerchezu wind power project. The owner, OX2, has split it into chunks, so 128 MW, 25.6 MW and 25.6 MW earned entry into the market incentives scheme. The special purpose vehicle (SPV), called South Wind, has bid EUR 69.87 per MWh, EUR 74.5 per MWh and EUR 76.5 per MWh, respectively, for a combined capacity of 179.2 MW.

Coming in third in terms of selected capacity, with 111.6 MW, is the future Poiana wind power project. The developer is Green Labs, which operates under Electrocentrale Borzești, part of the Renovatio group, under OMV Petrom.

Through its project firm CEF Pelicanu, Renovatio also won a CfD for 103.7 MW for its Alexandru Odobescu project. It bid EUR 76.9 per MWh.

Winning prices in second wind power auction higher amid demand drop

Ecoener Carpatica’s Miroslovești project in Iași county can sign a contract for 54.4 MW, at a price of EUR 68.75 per MWh. The Urleasca project passed with EUR 71.93 per MWh for 31 MW.

Eurowind Energy’s Cheap Energy Company was successful with a bid of EUR 78.5 per MWh for the Pecineaga Northeast (Nord Est or NordEst) endeavor. It applied for 48 MW.

Engie Romania passed with its Falcon wind power project

Falcon Wind of Engie Romania secured a CfD for 52.4 MW with a price of EUR 72.7 per MWh. It was the first under the line in the first round, with a bid that was EUR 5 higher. The location is in Mereni in Constanța county.

The accepted prices in the wind power auction are between EUR 65.17 per MWh and EUR 79.5 per MWh, compared to a range of EUR 54.59 per MWh to EUR 77.33 per MWh in the first round.

Accepted bids for solar power projects significantly lower than in first round

Conversely, solar power prices were much lower than last time. They landed at EUR 35.77 per MWh to EUR 45.2 per MWh, against a range of EUR 45.05 per MWh to EUR 54.19 per MWh in December. This time, the ceiling was EUR 73 per MWh. The commission accepted 26 bids of 1.49 GW in total, extending the quota by 16 MW.

The largest capacity, 520 MW, was awarded to special purpose vehicle West Power Investments for its Dama Solar project. It is for 1.04 GW in total peak capacity, which would make it the biggest solar power plant in Europe excluding Turkey. Rezolv Energy developed the project, together with Monsson. It won the incentives through two equal lots, with bids of EUR 42.2 per MWh each, on a rounded basis.

Enery Element gets almost 460 MW for its two PV projects

Other companies also partitioned their projects for the auction. Enery Element won 11 out of the 26 contracts, for its proposed Baboia PV plant, also called Ogrezeni. The bids were between EUR 35.77 per MWh and EUR 42 per MWh.

In the previous round, it failed to make the quota with EUR 56.82 per MWh. The combined capacity is 350.1 MW. According to Economica.net, the developer may have opted for splitting the PV plant to avoid surpassing the 50-hectare threshold per lot. The Ogrezeni project in Giurgiu county is for more than 500 MW overall, the media outlet noted.

The company also succeeded with four lots of its Dumbrava 2 project. Enery Element’s subsidiary Siret Solar Plant has bid EUR 38.76 per MWh to EUR 38.79 per MWh. The combined capacity is 108.6 MW.

Engie Romania is now eligible for a CfD for 170 MW in peak capacity, for its proposed Cornățelu photovoltaic facility. Its bid was the highest on the list, EUR 45.2 per MWh. The site is in Dâmbovița county

Of note, the government has so far signed contracts with 21 firms that won in the first solar and wind power auctions.

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May 5, 2025
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OMV opens Austria’s largest green hydrogen plant

OMV put into operation its green hydrogen plant in Schwechat near Vienna. The facility can produce 1,500 tons per year.

OMV is producing green hydrogen on a commercial scale for the first time. The Vienna-based fossil fuel and petrochemicals producer started up a 10 MW plant at its Schwechat refinery near Austria’s capital. It is the largest in the country.

The investment amounts to EUR 25 million. The electrolyzer system can produce up to 1,500 tons per annum. OMV said the green hydrogen would be used to make more sustainable fuels and chemicals including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (HVO).

PEM electrolyzer uses wind power, hydropower, photovoltaics

The new 10 MW polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM, also called proton exchange membrane) electrolyzer is powered entirely by renewable electricity. It is generated by wind power, hydropower plants and photovoltaics.

The innovation enables annual savings of up to 15,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, according to the comparator from the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive. It is equivalent to 2,000 persons per year, based on the EU’s 2024 average of 7.5 tons of CO2 equivalent per capita.

“With the start-up of Austria’s largest electrolysis plant, we are re-inventing how essentials we use in everyday life are produced sustainably. Green hydrogen is at the heart of this transformation, serving as a critical component in producing fuels and chemicals while advancing the decarbonization of our Schwechat site,” said board member Martijn van Koten, responsible for fuels, feedstock and chemicals.

Green hydrogen project is step toward making OMV carbon neutral

The majority owner of Romanian OMV Petrom aims to cut its net emissions to zero by 2050. Its transformation is based on projects including for geothermal energy and chemical recycling. Green hydrogen can be utilized in the production process in refineries.

The green hydrogen plant is certified for producing renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs).

Making green hydrogen through PEM electrolysis involves splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity. At the anode, oxygen and positively charged hydrogen protons are generated. The protons pass through the PEM, and at the cathode, they combine with electrons to form hydrogen gas.

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