Romania's renewable energy production capacity amounts to 4,690 MW

The installed capacity of renewable energy producers totaled 4,690 MW at the end of June this year, according to data from Romania’s electricity grid operator Transelectrica. Romania had wind parks with a total capacity of 2,959 MW, photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 1,312 MW as well as small hydropower plants of 316 MW. The biomass projects had a total capacity of 103 MW, reports local Agerpres. Romania’s renewable energy production capacity apparently fell compared to the end of last year, when it reached 5,142 MW. The renewable energy producers receive for free green certificates that they sell on a specialized market for additional revenues besides the sale of energy. The certificates are paid by all consumers in Romania, including the population, in the final electricity bills. The energy from renewable sources needs to have a share of 12.15% in the total energy mix in Romania this year. Between 2008 and 2010 Romanian authorities granted a very generous support scheme for renewable energy producers, which amounted to EUR 19.5 billion. The subsequent impact on electricity bills was significant, so the authorities had to cut down or postpone certain benefits for renewable energy producers. This has caused significant losses to the investors in the renewable energy sector. editor@romania-insider.com