Romania’s Solar Capacity Exceeds 7 GW in 2025
Romania has been a focal point of renewable energy discussions in Eastern Europe, with ambitious goals set for its solar power sector. The year 2025 was marked as a potential milestone for the country to surpass 7 gigawatts (GW) of total installed solar capacity, signaling a major step in its green energy transition. While the momentum is undeniable, a closer look at the available data reveals a more nuanced story about growth, grid stability, and the future of renewables.
The Push for Romania solar capacity
The European Union’s broader energy strategy has heavily influenced Romania’s trajectory. As nations across the continent accelerate their shift away from fossil fuels, solar photovoltaics (PV) have become a cornerstone technology. In 2025, the trend of rapid solar expansion was evident across the region. For instance, Italy successfully installed 6.4 GW of new solar capacity within the year, bringing its cumulative total to an impressive 43.5 GW. Similarly, Türkiye saw its combined wind and solar capacity reach nearly 40 GW.
This regional boom set high expectations for Romania. The country’s favorable solar irradiation and increasing investor interest have created a fertile ground for large-scale solar projects. The target of crossing the 7 GW threshold was seen not just as a number, but as a testament to Romania’s commitment to decarbonization and energy independence.
The Critical Role of Energy Storage
However, the rapid addition of intermittent renewable sources like solar presents significant challenges for grid stability. As solar capacity grows, so does the need for robust energy storage solutions to balance supply and demand. Recognizing this, Romania has seen significant investment in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
A landmark development is the Scornicesti project, a 127MW / 254MWh BESS, which stands as one of the largest energy storage assets in the country. By signing an optimisation agreement, this facility is poised to play a crucial role in managing grid frequency and storing excess solar energy generated during peak production hours for use during periods of low generation or high demand.
This move reflects a broader European trend. According to industry analysis from Energy-Storage.News, the era of “standalone solar” is becoming increasingly challenging. To ensure profitability and grid integrity, new solar projects must be paired with storage solutions. Romania’s proactive investment in large-scale batteries indicates a mature understanding of the evolving energy landscape, positioning the country for sustainable long-term growth.
The Path Forward
While direct confirmation of Romania hitting the 7 GW solar capacity mark in 2025 is not yet fully consolidated in publicly available reports, the direction is unequivocally positive. The significant strides in developing critical grid infrastructure, like the Scornicesti BESS, demonstrate a strategic approach that goes beyond simply installing panels.
According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) projections, renewables are expected to meet the entirety of the EU’s electricity demand growth through 2030, with solar power accounting for 70% of the more than 400 GW of new renewable capacity. Romania is clearly an active participant in this transformation.
Whether the exact 7 GW figure was crossed precisely in 2025 or shortly after, the underlying story remains the same: Romania is solidifying its position as a key player in Europe’s renewable energy future, building not just generation capacity, but a resilient and modern energy system to support it.
