RAISE Romanian American Institute for Smart Energy, Washington D.C., DC (2026)

10/15/2025

Apple goes greener, and Romania is part of the story.

Apple just announced 650 MW of new solar and wind projects across Europe, including a 99 MW wind farm in Galați County, Romania, built by OX2 for Nala Renewables.

These investments in Romania, Greece, Italy, Latvia, and Romania, worth over $600 million (€554 million), will generate 1 million MWh of clean energy each year by 2030, matching the electricity used by Apple customers to charge and power their devices.

“By 2030, we want users to know all the energy it takes to charge their iPhone is matched with clean electricity,” states Lisa Jackson, Apple VP Environment & Policy.

Romania’s inclusion in Apple’s 2030 program marks another step toward a cleaner, more resilient European grid, with over 3,000 GWh of renewable power annually brought by these annouced projects.

Sources: Apple Newsroom, OX2, Lightsource bp, Romania Insider
📷 : Romania Insider

09/24/2025

The U.S. Government has committed $130 million (approx. €121 million) to fund a 190 km, 400 kV high-voltage transmission line connecting Strășeni, Moldova to Gutinaș, Romania.

This landmark project—part of USAID’s MoldovaConnected program—is a strategic step toward.

The investment is important on several counts:
🔹 It plugs Moldova directly into Europe’s electricity markets (ENTSO-E)
🔹 It breaks reliance on Russian-backed energy sources
🔹 It opens real export pathways for U.S. tech — grids, energy storage, ICT, nuclear

Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with completion by 2029. The foundation for this decision was a detailed USEA study, providing the technical and economic basis for the project’s approval.

This is more than infrastructure—it’s a geopolitical and economic bridge that helps secure Moldova’s path to Europe while creating win-win opportunities for American innovation.

Sources: USAID, TDWorld, infotag.md, USEA
📷 : Pok Rie, Pexels

08/07/2025

California just took a major step forward in modernizing its power grid.

Last week, during peak evening demand, utilities like Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), in partnership with Tesla and Sunrun, successfully tapped into more than 100,000 residential batteries to support the statewide grid. The result: 535 MW of dispatchable power — roughly equivalent to a large hydro plant or half a nuclear reactor, delivered through homes instead of new infrastructure.

This was California’s largest test of a virtual power plant (VPP) to date — and the largest in the U.S. It confirmed that distributed energy resources can reliably support the grid, reduce dependence on fossil peaker plants, and help balance the solar supply-demand curve.

🔋 Romania has a growing pool of clean energy prosumers as well — over 228,000 as of May 2025, according to ANRE — but most lack battery storage. While Romania leads the EU in prosumer growth, with over 1.6 GW of installed capacity (mainly rooftop solar), much of that energy is exported to the grid instantly, without the flexibility batteries offer.

As in California, integrating this distributed capacity more effectively — possibly through VPP models in the future — could increase grid resilience and unlock new value for both consumers and utilities.

With demand rising due to digital infrastructure and electrification, the ability to manage existing resources smarter — not just build new ones — is becoming essential.

Sources: SEMAFOR, The Brattle Group, VP3, ANRE Romania, Energy-Center.ro, American Clean Power Association (ACP)

📷 : Erik Karits, Pexels

07/30/2025

Battery Storage x2 in 2025: Romania is significantly accelerating its energy transition this year, with a major emphasis on battery storage and flexible generation. The Romanian Ministry of Energy announced plans to double the country’s battery storage capacity, reaching 400–500 MWh through projects co-financed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

This expansion supports Romania’s broader strategy to add at least 2,500 MW of new capacity to the national energy system by the end of the year—an effort aimed at enhancing energy security, grid stability, and decarbonization. The total public-private investment expected across these initiatives is estimated at €3.5–4 billion (approx. $3.75–4.3 billion USD).

Key developments for 2025 include:
- Răstoliţa Hydropower Plant (30 MW) – Operated by Hidroelectrica, expected to provide much-needed flexibility during peak demand.
- Navodari Cogeneration Plant (80 MW) – Developed by Rompetrol Rafinare SA, focused on improving industrial efficiency and reducing emissions.
- Mintia Gas Power Plant (1,750 MW) – Owned by Mass Group Holding Ltd. (Iraq); the first 1,000 MW could be operational by the end of 2025. Once completed, it will be the largest gas-fired plant in Europe.
- Iernut Gas-Fired Power Plant (430 MW) – Owned by S.N.G.N. Romgaz S.A., the project has faced repeated delays. Although it was over 95% complete earlier this year, financial and legal setbacks have pushed commissioning to December 19, 2025.

Private renewable energy projects, expected to bring online 1,200–1,500 MW of new solar and wind capacity, are being implemented by companies including EDP Renewables, Enel Green Power, Monsson Group, and others with support from PNRR funds.

A standout development in energy storage is the pending acquisition of Borzeşti Energy Storage SRL, which is building a battery system in Onești, Bacău County. The project is being taken over by a consortium of Greenvolt Group International Power SA (Portugal) and RNV Infrastructure SRL (part of Romania’s Renovatio Group). The transaction is under review by the Romanian Competition Council, which is assessing its impact on the competitive environment.

These efforts are part of a larger strategic push that also includes investments in the Neptun Deep and Caragele natural gas projects, the Romanian civil nuclear program, and new manufacturing capacity for solar panels and batteries.

With major investments underway and key infrastructure milestones on the horizon, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year for Romania’s energy system.

Sources: Ministry of Energy, Romgaz, Romanian Competition Council, energynomics.ro, hotnews.ro, profit.ro, Agerpres

📷: AI generated

05/19/2025

In today’s Atlantic Council roundup of expert analyses—featuring Daniel Fried, Victoria Olari, Anca Agachi, Mark Scott, Olga Khakova, and Andrei Covatariu —one fact stands out: Romania’s choice of Nicușor Dan is a decisive vote for Europe and stability.

The numbers tell the story: Dan, Bucharest's Mayor, secured 53.6 percent of the vote, comfortably defeating right-wing candidate George Simion. His victory follows the Romanian Constitutional Court’s controversial annulment of the November 2024 presidential election amid allegations of Russian interference.

As Andrei Covatariu— RAISE member in the board of advisors and nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center—observes:

“By advancing projects that resonate in both Brussels and Washington—SMR partnerships, Black Sea gas development, cross-border infrastructure with Ukraine and Moldova, and clean-generation scale-up—Romania can amplify its geopolitical weight in the energy space.”

Key energy priorities mentioned:
- Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with U.S. support to diversify baseload power and enhance strategic autonomy
- Black Sea gas projects unlocking new export corridors and bolstering Europe’s supply resilience
- Cross-border interconnectors with Ukraine and Moldova for deeper market integration and regional security
- Clean-tech manufacturing positioning Romania as a hub for wind-turbine components, battery cells, and hydrogen electrolysis

These initiatives will:
- Attract U.S. and EU investment into next-generation energy projects
- Drive transatlantic R&D collaborations with national labs and universities
- Create high-value jobs across engineering, manufacturing, and digital grid services

Romania’s election isn’t just a political moment—it’s a mandate to secure a sustainable, innovative, and geopolitically resilient energy future for Central and Eastern Europe.

📷: President-Elect Nicusor Dan FB page

05/06/2025

Romania: The Energy Backbone of Black Sea Security

As highlighted in a recent article by Kaush Arha in The National Interest, Romania's strategic role at the crossroads of energy and security is more important than ever. In the face of ongoing Russian aggression and the need for long-term stability in the Black Sea region, the U.S.–Romania partnership is proving indispensable.

✅ Energy is at the core of this transatlantic alliance.
- U.S.–Romanian ventures like Neptun Deep are set to make Romania the EU’s largest natural gas producer by 2027.
- American companies—Transocean, Halliburton, Oceaneering—are enabling offshore energy extraction in the Black Sea.
- Romania leads regional adoption of U.S. small modular reactors (SMRs), boosting Europe’s energy resilience and strategic autonomy.- NuScale Power, Fluor Corporation, Sargent & Lundy.

💡 These energy investments do more than fuel economies—they reinforce democratic resilience, regional integration, and NATO’s eastern flank. As reconstruction efforts in Ukraine take shape, Romania’s infrastructure and energy networks are pivotal for anchoring long-term U.S. interests in Eastern Europe.

On the defense side, Romania continues to exceed NATO commitments, hosts key U.S. military assets (MK Air Base, Aegis Ashore), and serves as a logistics and security hub for operations across the region.

Following yesterday’s first round of presidential elections, Romania’s commitment to transatlantic values and strategic cooperation remains strong—regardless of electoral outcomes.

At RAISE, we continue to advocate for policies that place energy security at the heart of U.S.–Romanian cooperation, aligning business, strategic, and democratic interests.

Souce: Nationalinterest.org
📷: KENDALL / Alamy Stock Photo / Be&W

04/29/2025

At the Three Seas Summit in Warsaw on Monday, April 28, Romania’s Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja held an in-depth bilateral meeting with Christopher Allen Wright, U.S. Secretary for Energy (U.S. Department of Energy). The discussion reaffirmed the shared commitment to pragmatic, future-oriented energy development: secure, affordable, and clean energy.

📌 Key strategic projects on the agenda:
- SMRs at Doicești – Next-gen nuclear technology from NuScale, paving the way for clean, reliable baseload power
- Cernavodă Units 3 & 4 – Strategic nuclear expansion supported by U.S. giants Fluor and Sargent & Lundy
- HVDC Interconnector – A critical step in regional integration of renewables and grid stability, with Fluor’s involvement
- Pumped Storage Hydropower (CHEAP) – A breakthrough initiative with the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). A newly signed memorandum with NREL aims to support the development of a “green battery” network across the Carpathians
- Geothermal mapping in Bucharest – Backed by ELCEN, U.S. partners, and the Modernization Fund
- Gas production potential – Romania is already the EU’s top gas producer and plans to double output by 2027 through the Neptun Deep project, now being drilled by U.S. platform Transocean Barents

These discussions were shaped by some of the pressing challenges facing Europe’s energy landscape:
- Persistent price volatility driven by limited regional interconnection
- Rapid coal phase-out without viable alternatives
High CO₂ certificate costs impacting industrial competitiveness

Romania continues to work closely with the U.S. to advance solutions that support regional energy security, economic competitiveness, and the long-term sustainability of the sector.

Source: Sebastian Burduja

04/24/2025

Romania’s Easter Energy Snapshot: Record Low Demand, Balanced Energy Mix

On April 20, 2025, Romania saw historic low daytime electricity consumption — around 2500 MW — due to Easter holidays for both Orthodox and Catholic communities. With economic activity reduced and many people enjoying outdoor time, electricity use dropped significantly.

At 2:04 PM local time, total generation was just 2,836 MW, with the following energy mix:

🔴 48.78% Nuclear – 1382 MW
🟡 25.63% Solar (Photovoltaic) – 726 MW
🔷 9.60% Hydro – 272 MW
⚫ 7.84% Coal – 222 MW
🟠 6.32% Natural Gas – 179 MW
🟢 1.31% Biomass – 37 MW
🟩 0.53% Wind – 15 MW
⚪ 0.00% Storage Installations – 0 MW

This day was a real test for grid flexibility. Despite low exports and low domestic consumption, Romania’s diverse energy sources and skilled energy professionals ensured grid stability without any major issues. Even some prosumers voluntarily stopped inverters to help stabilize the grid. Respect!

Source: Sebastian Burduja

04/15/2025

⚛️ Romania’s nuclear energy sector is entering a historic phase of growth. At the 2025 ROMATOM General Assembly last week, national leaders reaffirmed three strategic priorities: Cernavodă Unit 1 refurbishment, construction of Units 3 & 4, and the development of SMRs (Small Modular Reactors). These projects aim to boost energy security, create high-quality jobs, and reinforce Romania’s industrial base.

ROMATOM, the Romanian Atomic Forum, unites over 60 Romanian and international companies across the nuclear energy value chain—driving innovation and anchoring local supply chains.

Meanwhile, the Romanian government has announced nearly €180 million (~$195 million USD) in new R&D investments in nuclear and AI—underscoring a long-term commitment to innovation and resilience.

On the global front, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has now placed commercial nuclear power among America’s top strategic energy priorities, calling for "rapid deployment and export of next-generation nuclear technology.” This alignment underscores the transatlantic momentum behind nuclear as a cornerstone of clean, resilient energy systems.

Sources: Energynomics , Romania-Insider.com, U.S. Department of Energy
Picture: E2 SMR simulator at UPB (University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest), funded by U.S. Department of State

04/04/2025

President Donald Trump's new tariffs – 10% globally and 20% on EU goods – are hitting the Romanian industry hard. In 2024, Romania exported over €2.1 billion (~$2.3 billion) of goods to the U.S., including steel, aluminum, auto parts, and industrial equipment. These sectors now face a significant competitiveness challenge, potentially leading to reduced export volumes and revenue losses for Romanian companies.

The Romanian government announced that it is preparing state aid schemes to cushion the impact, especially for manufacturing-heavy industries.

The tariffs' direct impact on the energy sector, particularly the importation of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), appears limited. U.S. LNG exports are exempt from tariffs, so Romania’s limited LNG imports stay stable. However, a broader industrial slowdown could weaken energy demand and delay investments.

The bottom line is that energy watches closely while the industry takes a hit.

Sources: Romania Insider, Balkan Insight, The Guardian, bne IntelliNews

03/27/2025

Drilling is officially underway at the Neptun Deep offshore gas field, one of the EU’s Largest Offshore Gas Projects. This transformative €4 billion (~$4.3B) investment could double Romania’s natural gas production by 2027 and help Europe diversify away from Russian gas.

Led by OMV Petrom (majority-owned by Austria's OMV) and state-owned S.N.G.N. RomGaz S.A., Neptun Deep is located in Romania’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone and holds an estimated 100 billion cubic meters of recoverable gas.

Strategic Impact of the project:
✅ Will double domestic gas output
✅ Could make Romania a net gas exporter
✅ Supports the EU's goal of supply diversification
✅ Helps power Romania’s energy transition as coal is phased out

🇪🇺 Energy Security for the Region
Romania currently produces just over 9 bcm/year, with consumption near 10 bcm—but that’s changing fast. With 3.5 GW of gas-fired power plants planned and coal being phased out, gas demand is projected to rise by 25% annually between 2025 and 2030.

Yet, by 2027, the energy ministry Sebastian Burduja expects at least a 75% increase in domestic production, opening the door for strategic gas exports to Central and Eastern Europe. Experts estimate Romania could export 4 to 5 bcm annually—volumes that could significantly boost regional energy resilience.

🔧 The Transocean Barents semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling rig is currently drilling 10 wells in development, putting the project on track for first production in 2027.

This is another significant step toward Romania becoming a regional provider of energy security, aligning with our mission to promote strategic, sustainable energy partnerships across the Atlantic.

Sources: Reuters, Baird Maritime - Shipping
📷: OMV/Romgaz

03/19/2025

Romania is taking a major step toward green energy leadership with the launch of Ro-HydroHub, a €140 million (approximately $152 million) hydrogen and new energy technologies center. This strategic project, financed through the Smart Growth, Digitalization, and Financial Instruments Program (PoCIDIF) 2021-2027, aims to modernize the energy sector and accelerate the transition to a sustainable future.

Led by the National Institute for Research and Development of Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies – ICSI Râmnicu Vâlcea, in partnership with University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, the Technical University of Cluj Napoca, and nine private-sector partners, Ro-HydroHub aims to:
- Develop technologies for hydrogen production, supply, and storage.
- Create advanced solutions for fuel cells and electrolyzers.
- Implement integrated hydrogen systems based on renewable sources.
- Facilitate technology transfer to companies, accelerating industrial adoption of hydrogen-based technologies.
- Train a new generation of specialists through master's and doctoral programs.

The project has the EU backing, as negotiated with the European Commission. Ro-HydroHub is designed to be a new economic model for Romania, rooted in innovation, sustainability, and technological excellence.

Hydrogen is a game-changer for Romania’s energy transition, offering a clean, scalable solution for decarbonization. Ro-HydroHub will serve as a national and European center of excellence, fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers to accelerate hydrogen adoption and drive Romania’s leadership in green energy technologies.

Source: FuelCEllsWorks.com
📷: Romanian Minister of Investments and European Projects

RAISE Romanian American Institute for Smart Energy

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