BUCHAREST — Romania added approximately 1.5 gigawatts of new solar capacity during the first five months of 2026, according to figures released by the Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association. The expansion positions the nation to exceed its annual deployment record for the second consecutive year.
The country's battery-storage market also crossed the 1 gigawatt-hour threshold, with installed power capacity climbing toward 500 megawatts.
Romania is phasing out coal power by 2032 while building utility-scale solar, wind and battery capacity. The state is modernizing its electricity grid after a decade of underinvestment. Coal plants are being retired as electricity consumption rises and industrial sectors electrify. The arrival of data centers and advanced manufacturing also increases demand.
Achieving the nation's energy-strategy goals requires an estimated €127 billion in investment over the current decade, according to the Romanian government.
Policy frameworks include a Contracts-for-Difference (CfD) scheme designed to provide long-term revenue stability. A second CfD round is planned, covering roughly 3,472 megawatts of capacity and financed with €3 billion from the European Union Modernisation Fund.
The Ministry of Energy launched a dedicated €150 million scheme for stand-alone battery storage projects. The National Recovery and Resilience Plan funded 11 storage projects with a total capacity exceeding 1.5 gigawatt-hours. The Ministry is preparing to launch a call for projects expected to support the deployment of approximately 3 gigawatt-hours of additional battery storage.
Romania offers foreign investors lower land-acquisition and development costs compared to mature Western European markets such as Germany, the Netherlands, France and Denmark. Competitive labor costs and position within the European Union single market add to its appeal.
Capital flowing into Romanian solar and storage projects includes tens of millions of euros from pan-European independent power producers, Nordic and Israeli developers, and institutions like the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Romania's total solar capacity now exceeds 8.5 gigawatts. The country announced earlier this year its intention to replace its existing rebate scheme for solar power.
