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May 23, 2025
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Romania to commission offshore wind study, targeting 3 GW by 2035

The Ministry of Energy of Romania launched a public call for expressions of interest for a study identifying areas in the Black Sea for concession agreements for offshore wind farms. It encouraged consortia of international and domestic firms and research institutions to apply.

Romania is gradually developing the legal framework for the start of the first offshore wind power projects in domestic waters in the Black Sea. Qualified companies and research institutions can express interest in conducting the necessary Specialized Study for the Delimitation of Offshore Areas that Can Be Concessioned for the Exploration, Construction, and Operation of Offshore Wind Power Plants, the Ministry 0f Energy said.

The country adopted the relevant law last year, followed by a roadmap.

“The study we are preparing will form the basis of strategic decisions on the concession of offshore perimeters and will provide investors with a clear vision, scientifically substantiated and in line with international best practices,” Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja said. Interested entities can submit their expressions of interest by email by June 10.

Study to determine areas with offshore wind power potential of at least 800 MW each

The ministry said consortia of international and domestic firms are encouraged to apply. The World Bank estimated Romania’s wind power potential in the Black Sea at 76 GW.

The Energy Strategy 2025-2035 with a perspective until 2050 targets the first 3 GW by 2035, the announcement notes. Burduja said a year ago that the first facility could come online already in 2032.

Areas or perimeters will have a potential capacity of at least 800 MW each, according to the call. The study needs to establish the technical and strategic basis for the development of offshore wind farms in Romania’s Black Sea Exclusive Economic Zone.

Best practices, standardized methodology required

The task involves wind potential analysis, geotechnical and seabed studies, biodiversity and marine environment assessment and the connectivity to the national energy system. In the study, the selected contractor must include commercial navigation routes, fishing areas, existing submarine cables and pipelines, oil and gas exploration and production areas, military or national security zones and other
maritime uses and restrictions that may interfere with offshore wind development.

The work should be based on best practices and standardized methodology, the ministry pointed out. It said the offshore wind study implies collection and analysis of available metocean, geological, ecological, infrastructure and other data, use of GIS systems to overlay information layers (wind, depths, habitats and constraints), and modelling and calculations of estimated energy production.

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May 22, 2025
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2-in-1: carbon footprint as a quality criterion in the NZIA – solving sustainability and resilience together

By Heike Winkler,EUSEW’s digital ambassador on how fair tendering and sustainability in offshore wind can drive competitiveness and a just energy transition.

We are transitioning from an economy based on fossil energy to an economy based on renewable resources. What could be more obvious than for us to support this development and strengthen our renewable industries, the maritime industry, the circular economy, and the green steel industry? The motto of EUSEW 2025, ‘Powering a fair and competitive green transition’, fits perfectly with the European offshore wind industry.

The motto of this year’s WindEurope Annual Event 2025, which has just taken place in Copenhagen, was ‘Scale up, Electrify, Deliver – Putting wind at the heart of Europe’s competitiveness.’ At the recent WindEurope conference, the offshore wind industry jointly proposed a new Offshore Wind Deal to European governments in order to achieve Europe’s ambitious expansion targets. Resilience and sustainability require close cooperation between business and politics to successfully meet the challenges of the ongoing transformation. Sufficient volume and stable supply chain expansion paths are crucial.

Sustainability requires resilience

For more than two decades, the offshore wind industry has been characterised by an impressively fast-growing know-how, a strong resilience, remarkable innovative power and harmonious synergies from various European industries.

A considerable reduction in the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of offshore wind energy has been achieved to date, more than the fossil industry has ever had to achieve. This development resulted in permanent cost pressure, which harms the sector.

Decarbonisation of the offshore wind industry itself has been part of the industrialisation process from the very beginning. A current example is the Nordlicht 1 and 2 project in the German North Sea, where a major reduction in CO2 steel emissions is expected to be realised (i.e. by using steel towers).

Level playing field and competitiveness

The level playing field has been repeatedly called into question in recent years due to competitive distortions and discontinuities, e.g. with the thread break (‘Fadenriss’) in Germany starting in 2016, when no more new offshore wind projects were put out to tender, or more recently with the construction stop in the USA. In Germany, many companies went out of business, a lot of experience was lost, thousands of employees lost their jobs and their experience was also lost to the industry. With the current geopolitical uncertainties, particularly regarding energy supply, the sector’s resilience is crucial.

With a level playing field and a robust expansion path, the wind industry would have grown significantly faster.

Net Zero Industry Act and qualitative criteria in tendering processes

At the same time, in line with the Draghi Report on EU competitiveness, the Clean Industrial Deal, together with the Net Zero Industry Act, European competitiveness requires accelerating re-industrialisation and the transformation of energy-intensive companies.

Industrial resilience and sustainability require close cooperation between business and policy, where better procurement practices can advance European interests in the wind sector. For example, the carbon footprint tender criterion should be applied in more than 50% of the coming renewable energy tenders. This is critically important, as it could increase the likelihood of realisation, resilience, while at the same time enhancing the market readiness of European renewable energy industries and thus Europe’s competitiveness.

Every long transport route increases the carbon footprint and reduces the added value of the project in general and where it is to be installed. The EU developed a consultation process to strengthen the net-zero industries, which includes auctions for renewable energies and an implementing law on non-price criteria. The results are currently eagerly awaited.

‘In order to reach a sustainable energy transition that creates added value for European industry, there is no alternative to a sustainable, resilient (2in1) domestic offshore wind supply chain. The carbon footprint criterion in offshore wind tenders is crucial if the transformation of the energy-intensive industry is to deliver climate protection, energy sovereignty and industrial growth at the same time.’ There will be no cost-efficient sustainable energy system in Europe without offshore wind energy.

This opinion editorial is produced in co-operation with the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2025. See ec.europa.eu/eusew for more details.

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May 22, 2025
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North Macedonia aims for market coupling with EU by first quarter of 2027

North Macedonia plans to finish market coupling with Greece and the European Union in the fourth quarter of 2026 or in the first quarter of 2027, according to Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources Sanja Božinovska.

“The integration of the North Macedonian organized electricity market into the Single European Market is of strategic importance for the country,” Sanja Božinovska stressed during the second edition of the Electricity Market Integration Forum – Taking Implicit Electricity Market Coupling Beyond EU Borders, held at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The coupling, in her words, would increase market liquidity and secure competitive prices and greater security of supply. It will directly impact economic stability and predictability, Božinovska added.

Additionally, the minister noted that integration with the European market could provide protection from the financial effects of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which would bring significant economic benefits for North Macedonian companies.

The market coupling process began in 2017-2018

She recalled that the market coupling process began back in 2017-2018, adding it is now in a delicate phase, focusing on the transposition of EU legislation and the implementation of the market coupling operator implementation plan (MCO IP) under the jurisdiction of the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).

“Due to uncertainties surrounding the impact of CBAM, it was imperative for market coupling to occur before 2026. Although we are now beyond that timeframe, it is realistic to aim for coupling between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027,” Božinovska noted.

During the panel session dedicated to the expansion of the European electricity market by 2026, Božinovska engaged in discussions with high-level representatives from the European Parliament, ACER, regional power exchanges, and institutions from the Western Balkans.

Of note, a week ago North Macedonia adopted the Law on Energy.

It will bring numerous benefits including a liberalized electricity market ensuring fairer prices and more choice for consumers, the introduction of smart meters for more accurate consumption measurement, and daily insight for consumers into their electricity usage, according to the Government of North Macedonia.

Artur Lorkowski, director of the Energy Commnunity Secreatariat , Sanja Božinovska i Zoran Gjorgievski, MEMO CEO
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May 21, 2025
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SANY Renewable Energy makes successful breakthrough in European market

SANY Renewable Energy, one of the world’s top five onshore wind turbine manufacturers, made its debut at Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 (BEF 2025) on May 14-15, showcasing its cutting-edge wind power technology and integrated solutions to the European market.

At BEF 2025, SANY attracted significant interest from various stakeholders thanks to the Alibunar 1 and Alibunar 2 wind farm projects, the company’s first investments in Serbia, which is one of the key markets for SANY in Europe.

SANY’s attendance at BEF 2025 not only demonstrates its competitiveness in the global clean energy industry but also lays a solid foundation for further expansion in the European market.

Innovative technology attracts attention as SANY gains broad interest from developers

As the most influential energy event in Serbia and the Balkans, BEF 2025 brought together government agencies, energy companies, and industry experts to discuss Europe’s energy transformation and sustainable development. At the event’s exhibition area, SANY focused on showcasing its large-megawatt smart wind turbines, smart wind farm management systems, and energy storage solutions. Its high power generation efficiency, low levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), and intelligent operation and maintenance drew the attention of numerous participants.

Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović said during her visit to the SANY booth that the company’s wind power technology is impressive and highly consistent with Serbia’s renewable energy development goals.

“We look forward to working with such leading international companies to accelerate the country’s green energy transformation,” stated Đedović Handanović.

Deepening European presence and supporting carbon-neutrality goals

In recent years, SANY has continued to increase its development and growth in the European market. This high-profile appearance at BEF 2025 sends a clear signal of strengthening regional cooperation. During the forum, company representatives held multiple rounds of negotiations with energy companies and investment institutions in Serbia and neighboring countries to discuss planning and possible project and technical cooperation.

“Europe is a key market for the development of renewable energy. SANY Renewable Energy’s goal is to help customers achieve economic feasibility while increasing efficiency with its high-quality products and customized services,” said Paulo Soares, Managing Director of SANY Renewable Energy Europe.

“We are looking forward to working with all stakeholders in Serbia to jointly promote the global carbon neutrality concept,” he stressed.

Industry analysts believe that as the demand for renewable energy in Europe continues to grow, SANY is expected to capture a larger market share in Europe with its high-reliability wind turbines, intelligent operation and maintenance, and localization strategy, and become an important promoter of the global green energy transformation.

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May 21, 2025
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GGF’s Kostadinov: Western Balkans responded to energy crisis with innovation, ambition (video)

The past three to four years have been nothing short of transformational when it comes to the energy transition in the Western Balkans, said Borislav Kostadinov, Finance in Motion’s Fund Director for the Green for Growth Fund, in a keynote address at Belgrade Energy Forum. The region has responded to the energy crisis with innovation, ambition and resilience, he pointed out. The challenge in the energy transition is understood and so is the solution, Kostadinov stressed.

Borislav Kostadinov, a Fund Director at Finance in Motion, gave a keynote speech at Belgrade Energy Forum (BEF 2025). He leads the Green for Growth Fund, or GGF, the company’s flagship green finance fund.

Finance in Motion is an impact asset manager based in Frankfurt with over 20 years of experience and more than EUR 4 billion in assets under management (AUM). It specializes in blended finance vehicles that deliver positive social and environmental impact. GGF has delivered over EUR 500 million in green finance to almost 50,000 beneficiaries in the Balkans. As of the end of last year, it was above EUR 1 billion in size.

Renewables have become mainstream investments

The breadth and flexibility of the fund’s model allow it to support a wide spectrum of the energy transition, which has enabled it to expand to over 19 markets along the European Union’s borders, Kostadinov explained.

The past three to four years have been nothing short of transformational when it comes to the energy transition in the Western Balkans, he underscored.

“I would not be the first to say that we are at a key juncture in the energy transition. At this stage, the challenge is understood and so is the solution. Renewables have become mainstream investments, championed by the public and private sectors, and are the foundation of a future that is not only sustainable but cost-efficient, competitive, and secure. The question now becomes how quickly and how completely we can deliver on this vision over the next five, fifteen and 25 years,” Kostadinov stated. In terms of energy systems and climate change, it is not much time, he pointed out.

Western Balkans are broad-based renewables growth story

For several years now, there has been a broad-based renewables growth story across the region: from utility-scale project finance transactions, to large installations for captive use by industry and manufacturing, to photovoltaics on the roofs of households, Kostadinov recalled.

“What is driving this shift? Certainly, the energy crisis jolted all of Europe, and the Western Balkans have responded with innovation, ambition, and resilience. In a short time, we have improved policy, strengthened regulatory frameworks and prioritized the sector with clearer strategies and market mechanisms,” he said.

GGF’s director praised the countries in the region for embracing transparent, competitive auctions as a foundation for market-based deployment of renewables.

Kostadinov particularly highlighted Serbia for leading the way. “Its recent auctions for wind and solar have been consistent, well-communicated, credible and investor friendly, drawing broad investor participation. Most importantly, they’ve been successful, and we are proud to have contributed to this achievement alongside our longstanding partner UniCredit Bank, through its investment in the landmark Čibuk 2 wind farm,” he told the audience at BEF 2025.

Corporate PPAs, guarantees of origin deepen markets while also expanding them

The public sector must continue strengthening markets and frameworks and develop and roll out mechanisms such as corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) and guarantees of origin, which deepen and expand markets, Kostadinov said.

“We need more purely private projects, such as the GGF-backed 50 MW Project Blue solar plant in Albania. As the largest non-subsidized solar project in the Western Balkans, and developed without a long-term PPA from the utility, it is the type of investment that we hope to increasingly catalyse in the region,” he asserted.

The three principles for the next five years are speed, integration, and resilience, Kostadinov says

In Kostadinov’s view, the three principles for the next five years are speed, integration, and resilience.

“We must continue to improve the speed, transparency and bureaucratic process when it comes to permitting, approving and bringing projects online. This is true in the EU, and it is true in the Western Balkans, in particular for construction permitting and grid connections,” he said.

The necessary investments in the integration of energy markets in the EU and the region will create scale, meaning larger markets, deeper spot markets, and more varied offtake, Kostadinov added. His message to energy producers in the Balkans is that they would be able to diversify and address a larger market by supplying Europe’s industrial base.

The recent blackout in Spain is a cautionary tale, but the story is not a failure of renewables but rather a failure of grid resilience, Kostadinov said.

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May 21, 2025
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Construction of largest solar power plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina begins

The construction of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s largest solar power plant has officially commenced. The location for the facility with a peak capacity of 125 MW is in the municipality of Stolac, near the village of Komanje Brdo. The project has caused discontent among some residents.

The investment is valued at EUR 100 million. According to the investor’s estimates, the power plant is expected to generate around 200 GWh of electricity annually over the next three decades.

The cornerstone was laid by Mayor of Stolac Stjepan Bošković, along with the representatives Aurora Solar, which developed the project, and Chinese company Norinco International, the contractor.

In recent years, the City of Stolac has actively promoted solar initiatives, with a particular focus on Komanje Brdo, according to the local authority’s website. It expects to collect between EUR 1.53 and EUR 2.05 million per year through the concession and utility fees.

 The project has faced public criticism

Despite its scale and potential, the project has faced criticism from a part of the public. Citizens gathered in an informal initiative called Za Komanje Brdo (For Komanje Brdo) have repeatedly raised concerns about a lack of transparency, the absence of public consultation, and alleged non-compliance with environmental protection laws. They claim the permitting process wasn’t transparent and that the local community was not adequately involved in decisions that directly affect its environment and quality of life.

“We are not against renewable energy sources, but we are against arbitrariness, the disregard for the law, and the neglect of residents’ interests. This project was launched against the will of the people,” residents said at a protest held on the same day that construction began, local media outlet Glas Stoca reported.

On the other hand, the investors claim the project is of strategic importance, promising new jobs and long-term benefits for the local community. They also maintain that all necessary permits were obtained in accordance with the law.

Despite public opposition and official complaints submitted to relevant institutions, construction works began on April 28. The plant is expected to be completed within a year and is set to become the largest photovoltaic park in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently, the largest solar power plant in the country is Hodovo, operated by Eco-Wat.

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