What does Romania’s plan for the development of offshore wind energy projects look like?

The Energy Policy Group (EPG) association appreciates the fact that the Ministry of Energy has published for consultation the Draft Law on the necessary measures for the exploitation of offshore wind energy in the assumed time frame. The government thus proves its commitment to the development of offshore wind energy production in Romania and the achievement of decarbonization objectives.

EPG also considers it beneficial that the development of offshore wind capacities is stimulated by means of a CfD-type state aid support scheme.

However, the EPG experts proposed a series of revision suggestions during the public consultation, for a better correlation of the project with the decarbonization objectives. First of all, the association proposes an upward revision of the assumed target regarding the installed offshore wind capacity, namely 3GW by 2035: “We believe that, in the context of the increase in the decarbonization targets assumed at the EU level until 2030, Romania should assume a target of at least 3GW of installed offshore wind capacities as early as 2032”.

The association also draws attention to the arduous procedure for obtaining the necessary approvals for offshore wind energy exploitation projects and proposes the establishment of a one-stop-shop. EPG also believes that the submitted project must take into account cross-border cooperation with Bulgaria for the development of new capacities. 

EPG will continue to be involved in the consultation process of the Draft Law on the measures necessary for the exploitation of offshore wind energy, recently extended until 1 September 2023.

Radu Dudău, EPG President, said: “The effort of the Ministry of Energy to put the Draft Law on the exploitation of offshore wind energy into public consultation is commendable. The project presents a timeline of offshore wind development stages, which ensures clarity and predictability. However, the year 2035 is far too long for an offshore capacity of 3GW. We believe that the presented stages can be shortened, to fix the year 2032 as a target. Also, the capacity target should be more ambitious. 

As shown by the EPG study, Offshore wind – the enabler of Romania’s decarbonization (2023), Romania will need to develop 15GW of offshore wind capacity in the Black Sea to achieve climate neutrality in 2050, of which 5GW should be installed by 2030. 

In the competition to offer investors green and affordable electricity, Romania must support the acceleration of investments in renewable sources. The electrification of the economy, the transition to electro-mobility, the development of the emission-free hydrogen sector – they all need renewable energy sources. These are arguments for treating offshore wind as an economic opportunity and a priority of the national energy sector.”