The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has supported Romania in successfully completing its second renewable energy auction under the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme in August 2025. This milestone further strengthens Romania’s clean energy ambitions and demonstrates the effectiveness of the CfD framework in attracting investment and ensuring long-term revenue stability for renewable energy developers.
The CfD scheme, developed with EBRD assistance, is designed to provide investors with predictable returns while supporting the integration of renewable energy into the national electricity market. In the second auction, Romania awarded 2,751 MW of CfD-backed renewable capacity. Combined with the 1.5 GW awarded in the first auction, the total CfD-backed capacity now stands at 4.2 GW—well above the 3.5 GW target outlined in Romania’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).
The auction attracted significant interest, with more than 5,500 MW of bids for solar and wind projects. Solar PV bids were particularly competitive, reaching prices as low as €35/MWh, reflecting Romania’s growing role as a competitive renewable energy market. Financing for the CfD mechanism is being provided through the European Union’s Modernisation Fund.
The EBRD has been a key partner in this achievement, working closely with the Romanian Ministry of Energy to design the CfD scheme and auction framework. Its support has included technical assistance, policy design, and implementation guidance. With the mechanism now proven, Romania is positioned to become a regional leader in delivering affordable, secure, and sustainable energy.
The success of the second auction builds on earlier milestones, including the first CfD auction for 1.5 GW of solar and wind capacity held in 2024. That same year, the EBRD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Romania’s Ministry of Energy to support the second auction and explore reforms to integrate storage into energy markets. The Bank also financed nearly 2 GW of renewable capacity in Romania, investing more than €350 million of its own funds and mobilising €1.25 billion in external financing.
Romania’s growing renewable capacity is central to achieving its climate goals. Under its National Energy and Climate Plan, the country has committed to reaching 38.3 per cent renewable energy in gross final energy consumption by 2030. Its long-term strategy sets a target of 44 per cent of gross final energy consumption from low-carbon sources by 2035. Programmes such as the EU’s Fit for 55 and REPowerEU are providing additional momentum, unlocking further investment in clean energy.
Victoria Zinchuk, EBRD Director for Romania, highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating: “We are proud of the strong partnership we have fostered in this sector and congratulate our Romanian colleagues on the successful second auction. This highlights the Ministry of Energy’s commitment to competitive auctions and well-structured support mechanisms, and it sets the stage for further progress, including the development of storage support schemes.”
The CfD scheme and auction design were delivered under the EBRD’s Renewable Energy Market Accelerator (REMA) programme, which helps governments establish regulatory frameworks that attract large-scale private investment in renewable energy and energy storage. To date, the EBRD has invested nearly €12 billion in 569 projects across Romania, with renewable energy playing a central role in advancing the country’s green transition and energy security.
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