In 2024, Romania added about 1,000 MW to its energy grid, including renewable capacity and retrofitted blocks, according to the head of the National Energy Dispatch Virgiliu Ivan. At the same time, storage capacity reached 200 MWh, backed by local investments in battery factories and storage systems, an important step for the national energy transition.
Romania marks a new chapter in the consolidation of its energy capacity, with an additional 1,000 MW installed this year. According to Virgiliu Ivan, head of the National Energy Dispatch, this increase includes renewable projects and the contribution of two large retrofitted capacities: block 5 at the Rovinari thermal power plant, which brings an additional 330 MW, and group 5 at the Stejaru hydroelectric power plant, which adds 50 MW. “This year, several energy capacities have been commissioned, mainly from renewable sources. In total, about 800 MW have been added so far, including the upgraded block at Rovinari, which contributes 330 MW, and Stejaru with 50 MW. In addition, other photovoltaic plants have contributed about 300 MW,” Ivan told a conference organized by Focus Energetic. Ivan also emphasized that another 200 MW are to be added to the grid, pending the completion of works and approvals of the necessary documentation from the grid operators. Thus, the additional capacity available in 2024 will total about 1,000 MW.
Local investment in energy storage
In addition to developing production capacities, Romania has also invested in increasing electricity storage capacity, which is essential for the stability of the National Energy System. Ivan announced that the current storage has reached 200 MWh, and by the end of the year a capacity of 100 MW of storage capacity will be reached. He also emphasized the importance of developing local factories of storage systems. “We are also attracting batteries, as well as factories that are being developed in Romania to support storage, which is a good thing, given the need for these installations during the transition period. The fact that we have local products is a step forward and, as the Romanian market becomes saturated, I am convinced that these products will also be exported,” Ivan added. The data presented by Ivan is backed up by ANRE’s real-time statistics, which show a current installed capacity of 18,560 MW, but this figure does not include recently completed capacity currently in the testing phase. These technological advances bring not only greater energy capacity, but also strategic progress in adapting to Romania’s green transition and energy independence.
