Romania has added around 1.8 GW of solar since the beginning of January, taking cumulative capacity to in excess of 8.5 GW, according to figures from the Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association (RPIA). This year’s additions to date consist of 1 GW from utility-scale projects and around 800 MW in the prosumer market.

Irene Mihai, RPIA Policy Director, told pv magazine the association is expecting 2026 to be another record-breaking year for Romania’s solar sector. The country added 2.2 GW of solar last year and is projected to add more than 2.5 GW this year, which would bring total solar capacity to over 9 GW.

With this trajectory, Romania is on track to reach its 2030 National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) target of 10 GW during 2027.

Mihai explained that Romania’s current solar momentum has been driven by a combination of factors, including its natural potential from good irradiation levels and land availability, an overall supportive framework for the development of renewables, which created one of the shortest permitting times in the EU for solar, and available funding opportunities.

“The Romanian market has entered a maturing phase, with the focus shifting from development to construction,” Mihai said. “Compared with the first wave of renewables development in the country, which was closely tied to the support scheme in place at the time, we are seeing greater openness to a market-based approach, with investors showing growing interest in corporate PPAs and long-term hedging.”

Romania also has the advantage of local, bankable EPCs with extensive know-how that can build assets in short time frames, Mihai continued, adding to the factors that strengthen Romania’s position as one of the most dynamic solar markets in the region.

Romania’s installed PV capacity places solar as the largest source in the country’s national energy system. Mihai said solar now consistently delivers between one-quarter and more than one-half of the total daytime demand.

Mihai added that Romania, like many other European countries, is currently experiencing a drought, which is impacting the country’s hydro and nuclear assets.

“Even so, during daytime, solar has reliably compensated for the output reduction of these sources, underscoring the importance of homegrown production and the strategic role of PV,” Mihai told pv magazine. “As climate‑driven extreme conditions become more frequent, scaling up PV and battery energy storage systems (BESS) will strengthen Romania’s resilience and make similar periods significantly easier to manage.”

Additional figures from RPIA show Romania currently has around 1.1 GW/2 GWh of installed utility-scale BESS, compared to 494 MW/914 MWh at the start of the year.

While official numbers for installed BESS in the prosumer market are not available, Mihai added that the percentage of residential prosumers with batteries has increased from 23% at the start of the year to 33% now, while the percentage of C&I prosumers with batteries has increased from 7.5% to 10%.

Romania is set to launch a call for projects for standalone batteries, expected to support the deployment of around 3 GWh of BESS, in the near future. Earlier this year, the country announced its intention to replace its rebate scheme for solar with support for prosumers looking to install batteries.

pv magazine previously spoke to Mihai during this year’s Intersolar in June to discuss Romania’s solar and storage markets.