Romania targets 2,500 new MW in the energy system in 2025, with investments such as Iernut, Mintia, Răstolița, Năvodari and private projects co-financed through the PNRR, but the energy must be “safe, affordable and as clean as possible”, the Ministry of Energy said in a statement.

“Energy is the heart of the economy. Without safe and cheap energy, there is no decent standard of living and no economic development. 2025 brings good signs for Romania, and the figures and projects confirm this. After a record of the last decade in 2024, with 1,200 MW that we managed to put into operation, we aim to double this performance this year. This means not only new production capacities, but also an important step towards the energy independence of our country. These are mature projects, for which we are accelerating the pace of implementation. The solution for lower bills is not constant state intervention in the market, but increasing energy production capacity. This is our mission, and for this we need an honest and serious partnership with the private sector,” said the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, in the statement quoted by Agerpres.

According to the cited source, the major projects for 2025 are: completion of the Iernut gas-fired power plant – 430 MW of on-site production, a strategic project unlocked at the beginning of the current mandate, with an estimated deadline of June 2025; commissioning of the Răstolița hydropower plant – 30 MW of flexible capacity, useful for covering consumption peaks; the Năvodari cogeneration plant – 80 MW of gas, a modern and long-awaited project; private projects financed through the PNRR, which are estimated to commission 1,200-1,500 MW from renewable sources and other modern capacities.

Also, another project for 2025 mentioned by the Ministry of Energy is the Mintia gas-fired power plant, and the first 1,000 MW could be connected to the national energy system by the end of the year. “It is a national strategic investment, with a total installed capacity of 1,750 MW, the largest gas-fired power plant in Europe. The turbines have been delivered, the construction site is under construction,” the institution states.

Also in 2025, the Ministry of Energy expects a doubling of battery storage capacity, up to 400-500 MWh, through projects co-financed from the PNRR. These investments will add at least 2,500 new MW to the national energy system, of which at least 600 MW represents on-grid production, significantly contributing to Romania’s energy security. For comparison, on good days, the country’s current instantaneous production is 7-8,000 MW, after Romania closed over 7,000 MW of coal and gas-fired groups between 2009 and 2022.

In parallel, Romania continues to implement major projects, such as the exploitation of gas from Neptun Deep and Caragele, the development of the Romanian civil nuclear program and the production plants for photovoltaic panels and batteries.

“The year 2025 comes with a clear commitment: a stronger energy system, capable of supporting Romania’s economic development and providing citizens with access to safe and affordable energy. The Ministry of Energy reaffirms its commitment to continuing the energy revolution that began in recent years, with the support of 14 billion euros in non-reimbursable funds already attracted to Romania, for the good of all Romanians and the competitiveness of Romanian companies,” the statement added.