Transelectrica explores increasing wind capacity

Romania Wind Power Projects drive renewable energy growth, with 127 proposals, 28,000 MW potential, Dobrogea and Moldova hubs, grid connection studies, EU targets, major investors, and transmission upgrades enabling turbines, permits, and capacity expansion.

Romanian electricity transmission and grid operator, Transelectrica SA is exploring $44.87 billion of investment opportunities that could increase Romania's total installed power generation capacity by 28,000 megawatts (MW). A large part of the investment is likely to be made in the wind power sector.

According to data published by Transelectrica, these projects could exceed the current total installed capacity of power-producing facilities in Romania. Galati, Constanta, Iasi and Tulcea counties have emerged as the most popular locations for the new wind power project investments.

Officials have indicated that from 2008 through 2012, about 127 projects have been identified, accounting for the proposed 28,000 MW, as European wind investment continues to surge across the region. This includes projects that have completed a solution study, a process carried out to ascertain the availability of the grid and electricity network, and select the best method to implement the project. It also comprises a system study to identify solutions to link the project to the grid. Sources indicate that a solution study is the next step in receiving formal permits to begin work on the project.

Industry observers have stated that more than 110 of the proposed 127 projects are expected to be located in the counties of Iasi, Vaslui, Galati, Vrancea, Constanta Braila and Tulcea, as energy investors look to the Balkans for new power projects. Around 75 projects will be built in Tulcea and Constanta. The plan also includes 10 projects in Vaslui, 11 in Galati, seven in Vrancea, four in Iasi and six in Braila provinces. Moldova and Dobrogea top the list of most-preferred locations for wind power projects in the country.

Transelectrica is confident that new wind power generating capacity in Romania will reach 1,500 MW by 2012 and 3,000 MW by 2017. Presently, the country generates about 9 MW of wind power, which accounts for less than 1% of the total electricity production. Several European energy firms including Iberdrola SA, ENEL S.p.A, CEZ A.S, and E.ON AG, have expressed interest in investing in Romania's wind power sector, while Petrom advances local projects as well.

E.ON, which already has a presence in the country, is exploring the possibility of developing a 150-MW wind power project in the Moldova region. The Romanian branch of Continental Wind Partners is likely to develop a 470-MW project in Galati. EDP Renovaveis SA, following two Portuguese windfarms commissioned recently, is proposing to build a 90-MW windfarm in Medgidia with an investment of about $149.5 million. The project is expected to start operations next year. The $1.65 billion, 600-MW Dobrogea wind project, which will consist of 240 turbines and is being developed by CEZ, will begin operations next year.

By 2010, Romania is targeting to have about 33% of the country's electricity production coming from alternate energy sources. Wind power is emerging as a popular choice for renewable energy in Romania, as farms look to host turbines on their land. The country has an estimated wind power potential of about 14,000 MW.

Romania lags behind most of its European neighbors in wind power generation, as a Siemens wind farm in Bulgaria underscores regional competition. Germany, Bulgaria, where renewable project development has cooled, and Hungary generate about 20,000 MW, 78 MW and 127 MW, respectively, from wind power. Industry analysts have observed that, by 2017, only 15% of the proposed wind power projects will start operations. Financing constraints and high project costs have been identified as deterrents. In Romania, the cost of building 1 MW of wind power is estimated to be in the range of $1.79 million to $2.24 million. Sources indicate that Romania will also have to work toward increasing the bandwidth of its electricity network to accommodate more renewable energy projects.

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