Brussels, 6 March 2024
The European Commission has approved a €3 billion (RON 15.22 billion) Romanian scheme to support installations producing electricity from onshore wind and solar photovoltaic to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.
Romania notified to the Commission, under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, a €3 billion (RON 15.22 billion) scheme to support installations producing electricity from onshore wind and solar photovoltaic.
The measure will be open to projects for the construction and operation of new installations for the generation of electricity from (i) solar photovoltaic; and (ii) onshore wind.
The aid will be granted through competitive bidding procedures and will take the form of a two-way contract for difference. The strike price will be determined through the bidding procedures (“pay as bid”) and the reference price will be calculated as a monthly output-weighted average of the market price of electricity in the day ahead markets.
The Commission found that the Romanian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will be granted through a competitive bidding process; and (ii) will be granted before 31 December 2025. Furthermore, the aid is subject to conditions to limit undue distortions of competition, including safeguards to guarantee that there are enough participants to the competitive bidding process.
The Commission concluded that the Romanian scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the green transition and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of importance for the implementation of the REPower EU Plan and the Green Deal Industrial Plan, in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the aid measure under EU State aid rules.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “This €3 billion scheme will enable Romania to support the deployment of new solar photovoltaic and onshore wind power plants. The use of contracts for difference provides incentives for the swift rollout of renewable energy sources and prevents overcompensation. This scheme will also contribute to reduce Romania’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market”.
A press release is available online.