Europe's Largest Solar Plant Halted in Romania

• Discover why Romania's largest solar power project in Europe was cancelled. Learn how private companies are blocked from building projects over 50 hectares outside urban areas and read about Germany's 800MW floating solar power plant in Bulgaria!

Romania's Hidroelectrica has cancelled its tender for the largest solar power project in Europe in the Oltenia province. The project, which would have been 1.5GW in size, was to be developed on 2,200 hectares of grade 5, unproductive agricultural land in the Dolj county. The land belonged to the State Property Agency and it was planned to be developed through a concession and under a turnkey deal. Private companies have complained that the current law forbids them to build projects on more than 50 hectares outside urban areas. In the neighboring Bulgaria, a German company is developing a 800MW floating solar power plant.

What Caused Romania's Hidroelectrica to Cancel Their 1.5GW Solar Project?

• Lack of clarity on the legal framework for such large scale solar projects in Romania
• Unclear rules from the Romanian government on the use of state-owned, unproductive agricultural land
• Difficulty in obtaining the necessary approvals from the Romanian government for projects of this size
• Concerns about the environmental impact of the 1.5GW project
• Private companies feeling unable to compete with the large German energy companies investing in solar projects in neighbouring Bulgaria