New hopes and expectations for Romania’s offshore wind development
Offshore wind energy is a cornerstone of the European Union’s strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. With substantial untapped potential in the Black Sea, Romania is poised to become a regional leader in offshore wind development. This article explores the key findings, regulatory framework, environmental considerations, maritime spatial planning, infrastructure challenges, and recommendations outlined in a recent policy paper on Romania’s offshore wind potential.
The European Union aims to install 60 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 300 GW by 2050. Romania, with an estimated offshore wind potential of 76-94 GW in the Black Sea, has a significant opportunity to contribute to these targets. The adoption of Romania’s Offshore Wind Law (Law No. 121/2024) marks a major step forward, but there are still gaps that need addressing, such as the need for a legally binding target and simplified permitting processes. Environmental protection is crucial due to the Black Sea’s unique characteristics and biodiversity risks. Additionally, Romania’s infrastructure and supply chain readiness are key to unlocking its offshore wind potential, but gaps remain.
Regulatory Framework
Romania’s Offshore Wind Law outlines specific obligations and timelines for relevant institutions, including the Ministry of Energy and the National Regulatory Authority for Energy (ANRE), to adopt secondary legislation and develop plans for ports, supply chains, and workforce training. However, the absence of installed capacity targets, lack of cross-border cooperation, complex approval processes, and a one-step concession process are key issues that need addressing. The law’s timeline includes milestones such as the approval of expert study procedures, ports plans, and supply chain measures by September 2024, and the inclusion of offshore wind impact studies in the Transmission System Operator’s (TSO) development plans starting January 2025.
Environmental Coexistence
Offshore wind farms can impact the environment throughout their entire life cycle—during construction, operation, and decommissioning. The Black Sea’s unique characteristics, such as limited deep-water mass movement and anoxic deep layers, make it particularly sensitive to disturbances. Localized environmental studies and cumulative effects assessments (CEA) are essential to understand and mitigate the risks posed by offshore wind projects. Key environmental impacts include underwater noise, risk of collision for birds and bats, and abrasion affecting the seafloor. Mitigation measures, such as selecting appropriate timeframes for noise and creating new habitats, can help minimize these impacts.
Maritime Spatial Planning
Romania adopted its Maritime Spatial Plan (MSP) in November 2023, aligning maritime activities with sustainable development. However, the MSP development process faced challenges, including limited stakeholder engagement and insufficient mechanisms for resolving conflicts between maritime space uses. Unlike other EU Member States, Romania’s MSP is not legally binding, which limits its effectiveness in reducing uncertainty and preventing delays. The MSP serves more as an inventory of maritime data and activities rather than a tool designed to facilitate coordinated maritime activities.
Infrastructure Challenges
Infrastructure challenges pose significant barriers to the development of Romania’s offshore wind sector. The Dobrogea region, where offshore wind power will be located, has limited grid capacity. Adding more than 4 GW of onshore wind capacity and 1.4 GW from the Cernavoda nuclear power plant by the mid-2030s will pose a critical capacity challenge to the transmission grid. The Port of Constanța, while partially equipped, needs upgrades to handle the storage, assembly, and transport of offshore wind components. Additionally, a global shortage of specialised vessels for installing offshore wind turbines and supporting operation and maintenance activities is a significant challenge. Romania’s lack of domestic shipbuilding capacity further exacerbates this issue.
Recommendations
To ensure the timely and sustainable deployment of offshore wind capacities, Romania must address critical challenges related to legislative timelines, infrastructure, environmental considerations, and stakeholder engagement. Key recommendations include:
- Adherence to Legislative Timelines: Authorities must comply with the Offshore Wind Law’s timelines to ensure the first offshore wind capacities are operational by 2032. Reintroducing a target for installed capacity could reinforce adherence to these deadlines.
- Streamlining Approvals: Establishing a one-stop shop for developers to obtain all necessary approvals in a coordinated and timely manner would reduce administrative burdens and expedite offshore wind park construction.
- Expanding Grid Capacity: Accelerating decisions on grid expansion and upgrades is vital to support new offshore wind capacities.
- Developing Port Infrastructure and Sector Deals: Prioritizing the development of port facilities and introducing Sector Deals between state authorities and private investors can foster investment, create jobs, and position Romania as an export hub for offshore wind components and services within the Black Sea region.
- Thorough Impact Assessments: Comprehensive evaluations of potential impacts on existing activities, the environment, and biodiversity are necessary to prevent delays caused by legal challenges from stakeholders.
- Implementing CEA: Adopting a CEA approach will help accurately assess the environmental impact of offshore wind farms.
- Local Biodiversity Studies: Additional studies are needed to assess the impact of offshore wind construction on the Black Sea’s ecosystem.
- Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement: More extensive consultations with diverse stakeholders will lead to a robust and widely supported plan for offshore wind development.
- Harmonisation with National Defence Interests: Coordination with national security institutions is required to define offshore wind power perimeters and configurations.
The development of offshore wind energy in Romania’s Black Sea region offers a pathway to a sustainable and secure energy future. By adopting a strategic framework that includes robust policy and regulatory measures, infrastructure investment, and effective stakeholder engagement, Romania can unlock the full potential of offshore wind energy. This will not only contribute to the country’s energy transition goals but also bring significant socio-economic benefits to local communities and the broader economy.
This article is based on the policy briefing of Energy Policy Group (EPG) on Romania’s offshore wind potential. You can find the full publication here.
