Romanian hydropower producer Hidroelectrica has decided to temporarily halt its plans for the construction of a massive up to 1.5-GW solar park in the Oltenia region of southwestern Romania. The decision was revealed in a regulatory filing, where the company mentioned that challenges related to legislative procedures have rendered it impossible to proceed with the awarding of contracts for feasibility studies.
The cancellation of the tender for feasibility studies, launched in early October, was announced after bids were due on December 11. The tender, aimed at awarding a RON-3-million (USD 659,230/EUR 603,500) contract for the studies, faced issues that led to the decision.
Hidroelectrica's proposed solar park, involving an investment exceeding EUR 1.2 billion (USD 1.29 billion), was planned to be situated on land directly concessioned by the State Domains Administration (ADS) in Dabuleni, Dolj County. The ambitious project aimed to contribute approximately 1.75 TWh of electricity annually and included a 300-MW integrated energy storage facility.
The pause in the solar project comes amid the backdrop of Romania's evolving renewable energy landscape, with other significant projects in the pipeline. Notably, the Hidroelectrica initiative was set to surpass the 1,044-MW solar park planned by Actis-backed Rezolv Energy in Arad County, western Romania. The decision to pause the project reflects the complex challenges and considerations in large-scale renewable energy development within the regulatory framework.
