OMV Petrom and CE Oltenia Launch Construction of 550 MW Solar Portfolio in Romania

Romania’s energy transition has reached another major milestone as OMV Petrom and state-owned power producer Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CE Oltenia) have officially begun construction of a 550 MW solar power portfolio spread across four locations in the country.

The large-scale solar projects are being developed at sites in Isalnița, Tismana, and Rovinari, regions historically associated with coal-based power generation. The initiative marks a decisive step in reshaping Romania’s energy landscape by repurposing traditional energy hubs into centers for renewable electricity production.

The combined investment for the four solar plants exceeds EUR 400 million, underlining the scale and strategic importance of the development. Approximately 70% of the funding is supported by the EU Modernisation Fund, with an initial tranche of financing already released, demonstrating strong institutional backing for Romania’s clean energy transition.

Once operational, the solar portfolio is expected to generate enough electricity to supply around 410,000 households annually, significantly reducing carbon emissions while strengthening domestic energy security. All four projects are scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2026.

OMV Petrom and CE Oltenia are developing the projects as equal partners, each holding a 50% ownership stake. For OMV Petrom, the investment aligns with its broader strategy to expand low-carbon energy generation alongside its traditional oil and gas operations. For CE Oltenia, it represents a structural transformation away from coal toward sustainable power generation.

Commenting on the development, OMV Petrom emphasized that the projects are not only about capacity expansion, but also about long-term regional transformation. Former coal-dependent areas are being repositioned as renewable energy hubs, supporting both Romania’s national climate targets and the European Union’s wider decarbonisation goals.

As Romania continues to attract large-scale solar investments supported by EU funding mechanisms, projects like this 550 MW portfolio highlight the growing role of utility-scale photovoltaics in delivering clean, secure, and affordable electricity across Central and Eastern Europe.

omv-petrom-ce-oltenia-start-building-550-mw-of-solar-in-romania-farm-pv-mw