Romania is facing a decisive year for the energy sector and it has reason to be optimistic regarding the completion of important projects, according to Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja.

The Ministry of Energy has presented the main investments planned for 2025 in the national energy sector. Energy supply must be secure and its prices affordable, and it must be as clean as possible, it added, saying it is the order of priorities.

Sebastian Burduja added that energy is the heart of the economy. Without safe and cheap energy, there is no decent standard of living and no economic development, in his view.

After 1,200 MW was put into operation in 2024, a ten-year high, Romania aims to double the volume in 2025, he stressed.

The projects expected for completion this year are in mature stages

The new production capacities will make a substantial contribution to Romania’s path toward energy independence, according to the ministry. The projects expected for completion this year are in mature stages and the government intends to accelerate them.

The ministry expects private investors to put online 1,200 MW to 1,500 MW in renewable electricity facilities financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP or, in Romanian, PNRR). In addition, the mechanism will support the doubling of battery storage capacity to between 400 MWh and 500 MWh.

Two gas power plants are planned to be completed. The first 1,000 MW of the Mintia gas-fired facility could be connected by the end of the year, the ministry said.

At least 600 MW of the planned additions is baseload power

The project has a status of national importance. Total capacity is envisaged at 1,700 MW. The other gas project is for the 430 MW Iernut facility, scheduled to start production in June.

Romania plans to commission the Răstolița hydropower plant, bringing 30 MW of flexible capacity, and the Năvodari cogeneration plant, of 80 MW.

The said investments will add at least 2,500 MW, out of which at least 600 MW is baseload power, significantly contributing to Romania’s energy security, the ministry pointed out.

The country’s current baseload capacity amounts to 7,000 MW to 8,000 MW, as Romania closed over 7,000 MW in coal- and gas-fired units between 2009 and 2022.