According to Splash247, Romania's government has published a draft decision identifying 11 offshore wind concession areas in the Black Sea with a combined potential capacity of 11.5GW. The move marks a significant step in the country's ambition to develop offshore wind energy under its Energy Strategy 2025-2035.
Phased Development Plan
The draft decision, cited by Splash247, outlines three phases for the offshore wind pipeline.
Phase 1: 3.1GW Fixed-Bottom
This initial phase covers three fixed-bottom sites with a combined capacity of 3.1GW. These areas are intended to support the government's target of installing 3GW of offshore wind by 2035.
Phase 2: 2.4GW Fixed-Bottom
A second phase includes two further fixed-bottom areas with a potential capacity of 2.4GW. According to Splash247, developing these sites would require relocating existing military zones.
Phase 3: 6GW Deepwater Floating Wind
The third phase consists of a 6GW deepwater area expected to require floating wind or other deepwater foundation technology. Approval of these areas is required before Romania can launch competitive concession procedures.
| Phase | Number of Sites | Capacity | Technology | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 3.1 GW | Fixed-bottom | First phase, supports 2035 target |
| 2 | 2 | 2.4 GW | Fixed-bottom | Requires relocating military zones |
| 3 | 1 (area) | 6 GW | Floating wind | Needs deepwater foundation technology |
World Bank Roadmap and Technical Potential
The draft decision cites the World Bank's Offshore Wind Roadmap for Romania, which estimates the country's technical offshore wind potential at around 76GW. Of this, approximately 22GW could be developed using fixed-bottom foundations and 54GW through floating wind technology. Average wind speeds in the proposed development areas exceed 7.5 metres per second, according to the roadmap.
Under the roadmap, Romania could reach as much as 7GW under an accelerated development path or 3GW under a moderate scenario.
Economic Impact and Next Steps
The government estimates the sector could generate between €16bn and €27bn ($18.2bn and $30.7bn) in added value for the Romanian economy, Splash247 reported. The Ministry of Energy is accepting feedback on the draft for the offshore wind concession areas by July 31.
This pipeline represents a major infrastructure development in the Black Sea region, with potential implications for energy markets and supply chains. The 11.5GW target, if realised, would significantly boost Romania's renewable energy capacity and reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports. The timeline for competitive concession procedures and subsequent construction will be critical for investors and developers in the offshore wind sector.
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