Ensys’ turnover in the first quarter of 2023 equaled the volume recorded throughout 2022, and the team tripled. The company intends to expand on the German market, the country where it will have its first registered subsidiary. Its plans also include Belgium, France, Portugal and the Republic of Moldova, says Adrian Ienciu, Marketing Manager, Ensys. “I think the next 1-2 years will be critical for all players in this industry. It will be a moment when we will consolidate our positions and we will start to see the first relevant statistical data for this market,” adds Adrian Ienciu.

What are the company’s main investments and projects in the short, medium and long term?

In 2022, Ensys continued to focus on the development and implementation of sustainable energy solutions, with a focus on photovoltaic systems. We have invested heavily in improving our infrastructure and work processes to be able to offer the best quality services to our customers. In Romania, we have completed a significant number of installed photovoltaic systems, both for individuals and companies. In the CEE/EEA region, we expanded our activities and started working with local partners to offer our services in these countries.

For 2023, our plans include consolidating our presence on the Romanian market and expanding further in the CEE/EEA region, starting with Germany, the country where we will also have the first Ensys registered subsidiary of type GmbH in the very near future, and in the future they are Belgium/France, Portugal and Moldova. We expect a continued increase in demand for green energy and want to be at the forefront of this development.

In the first quarter of 2023, we managed to triple our number of employees, reaching over 200 professionals, which represents a major step in our development. This growth was also possible thanks to the opening of four regional centers in Bucharest, Craiova, Iași and Sibiu, which are added to our headquarters in Oradea. These centers allow us to respond more quickly to the demands of our customers all over the country and to accelerate the implementation of photovoltaic systems.

Along with the expansion of the staff, we are also proud of the financial data to match, where our turnover for the first quarter of 2023 alone increased beyond expectations and was at the level of the entire financial year 2022.

At the same time, we are focusing on managing the more than 4,500 Casa Verde projects that we contracted in the 2021 AFM session, but also on organizing a Casa Verde 2023 session where we aim for a significantly higher total number of projects, with the objective the implementation of over 10% of the total projects, in the 2023 session.

The industrial and commercial segment is also of major interest to us. Our specialist division, Power, has grown rapidly and is well-equipped to meet the demands of this market segment. We are also actively preparing for the new funding opportunities that will appear through PNRR, REPowerEu and ElectricUp and the rest of the government grants specialized on energy efficiency through the financing of electricity production systems from renewable sources such as POIM and others.

What are the main barriers to the development of solar projects in Romania?

First, bureaucratic and permitting processes can often be complex and time-consuming. This is a major obstacle, especially for small and medium-sized projects, which do not always have the resources to navigate these processes. Simplifying and digitalizing these processes could significantly accelerate project development. We are confident in the legislative plans, which emphasize anti-bureaucratic progress and the implementation of a One-stop-shop for permits and approvals of photovoltaic systems, through which the beneficiary addresses a single portal/office for the entire procedure necessary to certify the system and with significant deadlines shortened. We look forward to such a streamlined solution.

Another obstacle is the lack of information and understanding of the benefits of solar energy. Many people and companies are not aware of the significant savings they can achieve by investing in photovoltaic systems and the positive impact they can have on the environment. Awareness and education campaigns can play a crucial role in addressing this issue.

Access to finance can also be an obstacle. Although there are numerous financing programs available, both at the national and European level, many companies and individuals may have difficulties accessing them. Improving access to finance, by simplifying procedures and helping in the application process, can be another key measure to stimulate the development of photovoltaic projects.

Regarding the short-, medium- and long-term prospects, we are optimistic. The increase in European funding for renewable energies, together with Romania’s commitment to achieving decarbonisation targets, suggests that there is significant potential for the continued development of the solar sector. However, it is crucial that the aforementioned barriers are effectively addressed to enable this potential to be realized.

How do you see, from a personal point of view, the economic evolution of Romania in the next period? How do you see the energy year 2023?

Indeed, the photovoltaic energy market in Romania is at an early stage. We are seeing many companies starting to add PV systems to their portfolios. This can be seen as both a positive sign and a potentially negative one. On the one hand, it is a sign of the growing interest in renewable energy and the recognition of its importance for our energy future. On the other hand, the presence of a large number of newcomers in the field can lead to opportunity speculation and lack of experience in the correct implementation of these technologies.

However, we observe more and more large and very large companies in the photovoltaics niche entering the Romanian market precisely because of the “pumping” of European cash into the development of the industry. The respective companies have a very well-developed portfolio, we are talking about companies that have a multiple of GWp at the EU level, which also rely on a cash flow that allows them some aggressive commercial terms and conditions and puts national installers in difficulty, which do not currently have competitive financial conditions with that level.

I think the next 1-2 years will be critical for all players in this industry. There will be a time when we will consolidate our positions and start to see the first relevant statistical data for this market. If a company fails to establish itself within this time frame, it will be much more difficult and expensive for it to provide quality, competitive services in the market.

Furthermore, as photovoltaic systems proliferate in ever-increasing numbers, we cannot help but note the increasingly pronounced technical network issues, which will become even more significant, maybe critical, in the very near future. Without infrastructure investments, all of our efforts on renewable energy will be futile; we will end up like the Czech Republic, which also halted 400MW of photovoltaic systems because “the sun was too strong” and the network was unable to absorb that production due to the absence of industrial consumers over the weekend.

At the same time, it is essential that we maintain a close dialogue with government or local authorities and ensure that our message is heard. Solar power and other forms of renewable energy are the future. We must make every effort to become more sustainable and efficient. The demand for energy will continue to grow and no one can ignore this reality. So making sure we’re moving in the right direction is critical to our energy future.

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This interview first appeared in the printed edition of Energynomics Magazine, issued in June 2023.

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