Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja inaugurated on Friday, on the roof of a block of flats in Sector 6 of the capital, a modern solution for producing electricity based on photovoltaic panels and battery storage. On this occasion, the “Urban Up” program, dedicated to owners’ associations, was announced, with a budget of 150 million lei.
What the Urban Up program entails
The “Urban Up” program is an initiative funded from the budget of the Ministry of Energy and aims to support housing associations in the installation of integrated systems for the production and storage of renewable energy. Sebastian Burduja said:
“The new program is designed to improve the efficiency of electricity consumption in apartment blocks. Homeowners’ associations will be able to access funds to install photovoltaic panels and storage systems, reducing electricity costs and contributing to a cleaner environment.”
Eligibility criteria and benefits
Adrian Vintilă, adviser at the Ministry of Energy, explained the technical details and benefits of the project:
- Minimum eligible system: 10 kWp installed capacity and 50% storage capacity.
- Grant amount: 100.000 lei for each owners’ association.
- Estimated impact: at least 1,500 blocks of flats in Romania will benefit from funding under the program.
“The project is the result of six months’ work and we hope to implement it quickly. If everything goes according to plan, from summer, the roofs of the blocks will start producing electricity,” said Vintilă.
Bucharest, an example of huge potential
There are about 15,000 blocks in the capital. If each of them were to benefit from photovoltaic systems, the total installed capacity would exceed 600 MW, contributing significantly to the city’s energy transition. The program also includes storage facilities, which means that energy produced during the day can be used at night, increasing efficiency and reducing dependence on the national grid.
A step towards a greener future
“Urban Up is not just a funding program, but a strategic step for Romania towards sustainable energy. With renewable energy becoming increasingly important, projects of this type bring direct economic and environmental benefits. The program will enter the application phase in March 2024, with projects to be evaluated quickly to start implementation in the summer. Through Urban Up, the Ministry of Energy is taking an active role in supporting apartment block tenants to access renewable energy. With a generous budget and a well-defined strategy, this program promises to bring significant changes in urban energy consumption and production.
