The Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Association (RPIA) organized the first edition of Solar Open Day, an event dedicated to solar energy and promoting the adoption of sustainable sources and means of energy production. The event was organized in Rătești, Argeș county, where the largest photovoltaic park in South-East Europe was inaugurated, to be connected in the coming period.
„We dedicated a special day to bringing solar energy to the forefront and to raise awareness of the need to identify and adopt sustainable sources and means of energy production. Clean energy is no longer just a trend, it is the only way we can limit the effects of global warming. Solar Open Day will be organized annually, and I hope it will become a flagship event for Romania. So, we are making our debut in this key, with the inauguration of the largest photovoltaic park not only in Romania, but in Southeast Europe. It is an important moment for the renewable sector, but also for the Romanian economy, because it is a major project and an important investment”, said Andrei Manea, RPIA Executive Director.
Marius Antonie Negru, Secretary of State within the Ministry of Energy, attended the Solar Open Day and the inauguration of the photovoltaic park in Rătești, together with other officials, diplomats, business representatives and industry specialists. RPIA also invited to Rătești students interested in the energy field, young people needed to take up responsibilities immediately after graduation, as the photovoltaic sector needs specialized manpower.
„Many thanks to RPIA, Econergy and Nofar Energy for their investment and their efforts to make this project a reality. Today we celebrate an important moment for the renewable energy sector in our country. The benefits of this inauguration are numerous and have a significant impact. This photovoltaic park is a source of renewable energy that will contribute to combating the effects of global warming and, at the same time, the project creates jobs in the region,” said Marius Antonie Negru, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Energy.
Rătești PV Park is a joint project of the Israeli companies Econergy Renewable Energy and Nofar Energy and represents the largest investment in renewable PV energy in Romania, worth EUR 102 million. Covering an area of 170 hectares, the park has a total installed capacity of 155 MW and is expected to produce around 220 GWh of electricity annually.
This PV Park can power more than 100,000 households in clean energy, mitigating 168,000 tons of CO2 and further supporting Romania’s decarbonization target of securing over 30% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030. The park is currently in the testing phase and will be commissioned in the coming period.
”It is truly a solar day for us today. As we stand today at the largest photovoltaic park in Romania, we see how the renewable energy sector is rapidly developing in Romania. This photovoltaic park in Ratesti is Econergy’s first to be connected to Romania, and there are 2.3GW of development capacity, along with 410MW are under construction or in operation throughout the country, ensuring energy independence and decarbonizing the energy sector. The Romanian market is a key market in southeast Europe striving to meet the 2030 goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our team is proud to host RPIA’s event to increase awareness of its activities, as we are looking forward to continuing productive joint efforts”, said Bogdan Asanache, Econergy Romania Country Manager.
„Today, on the occasion of Solar Open Day, we have the honor to inaugurate the largest photovoltaic park in Romania and Southeastern Europe – the Ratesti project, an exceptional achievement for us and a historical moment in Romania’s energy development. Ratesti project marks a significant step towards clean and sustainable energy and makes a substantial contribution to Romania’s decarbonization targets by 2030. We consider Romania as one of the key growth markets, with the goal of reaching 1GW from solar energy by 2025”, said Favi Stelian, Managing Partner Nofar Energy.
Given the scale and capacity, Rătești PV park, together with other projects in the PV sector, is a strategic component in Romania’s effort to strengthen its energy independence and security, thus contributing to regional and European stability.
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